CVE-2025-40777

A possible assertion failure when 'stale-answer-client-timeout' is set to '0'

Published Jul 16, 2025 CVSS 3.1 · 7.5 High EPSS 1.0% KEV · Not listed
Description
If a `named` caching resolver is configured with `serve-stale-enable` `yes`, and with `stale-answer-client-timeout` set to `0` (the only allowable value other than `disabled`), and if the resolver, in the process of resolving a query, encounters a CNAME chain involving a specific combination of cached or authoritative records, the daemon will abort with an assertion failure.
This issue affects BIND 9 versions 9.20.0 through 9.20.10, 9.21.0 through 9.21.9, and 9.20.9-S1 through 9.20.10-S1.

Remediation

Vendor Solution

Upgrade to the patched release most closely related to your current version of BIND 9: 9.20.11, 9.21.10, or 9.20.11-S1.


Vendor Workaround

Setting either of `stale-answer-client-timeout off;` or `stale-answer-enable no;` in the configuration file will prevent the assertion.

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
EUVD EUVD EUVD-2025-21736 If a `named` caching resolver is configured with `serve-stale-enable` `yes`, and with `stale-answer-client-timeout` set to `0` (the only allowable value other than `disabled`), and if the resolver, in the process of resolving a query, encounters a CNAME chain involving a specific combination of cached or authoritative records, the daemon will abort with an assertion failure. This issue affects BIND 9 versions 9.20.0 through 9.20.10, 9.21.0 through 9.21.9, and 9.20.9-S1 through 9.20.10-S1.
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-7641-1 Bind vulnerability
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'yes', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'partial'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description If a `named` caching resolver is configured with `serve-stale-enable` `yes`, and with `stale-answer-client-timeout` set to `0` (the only allowable value other than `disabled`), and if the resolver, in the process of resolving a query, encounters a CNAME chain involving a specific combination of cached or authoritative records, the daemon will abort with an assertion failure. This issue affects BIND 9 versions 9.20.0 through 9.20.10, 9.21.0 through 9.21.9, and 9.20.9-S1 through 9.20.10-S1.
Title A possible assertion failure when 'stale-answer-client-timeout' is set to '0'
Weaknesses CWE-617
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 7.5, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H'}

Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
isc
Published
Updated
Nov 4, 2025, 9:10 PM
Reserved
Apr 16, 2025, 8:44 AM
Status
Deferred
Published
Jul 16, 2025, 6:15 PM
Modified
Jun 17, 2026, 9:22 AM
Severity
Moderate
Public date
Jul 16, 2025, 5:38 PM