CVE-2026-28810

Predictable DNS Transaction IDs Enable Cache Poisoning in Built-in Resolver

Published Apr 7, 2026 CVSS 4.0 · 6.3 Medium EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
Generation of Predictable Numbers or Identifiers vulnerability in Erlang/OTP kernel (inet_res, inet_db modules) allows DNS Cache Poisoning.

The built-in DNS resolver (inet_res) uses a sequential, process-global 16-bit transaction ID for UDP queries and does not implement source port randomization. Response validation relies almost entirely on this ID, making DNS cache poisoning practical for an attacker who can observe one query or predict the next ID. This conflicts with RFC 5452 recommendations for mitigating forged DNS answers.

inet_res is intended for use in trusted network environments and with trusted recursive resolvers. Earlier documentation did not clearly state this deployment assumption, which could lead users to deploy the resolver in environments where spoofed DNS responses are possible.

This vulnerability is associated with program files lib/kernel/src/inet_db.erl and lib/kernel/src/inet_res.erl.

This issue affects OTP from OTP 17.0 before OTP 26.2.5.19, OTP 27.3.4.10, and OTP 28.4.2, corresponding to kernel from 3.0 before 9.2.4.11, 10.2.7.4, and 10.6.2.

Remediation

Vendor Workaround

Install the Erlang nodes in a trusted network shielded from DNS reply spoofing by firewalls, and configure the inet_res resolver to only talk to trusted recursive name servers within that network.

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
Debian DSA Debian DSA DSA-6464-1 erlang security update
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
Description Generation of Predictable Numbers or Identifiers vulnerability in Erlang/OTP kernel (inet_res, inet_db modules) allows DNS Cache Poisoning. The built-in DNS resolver (inet_res) uses a sequential, process-global 16-bit transaction ID for UDP queries and does not implement source port randomization. Response validation relies almost entirely on this ID, making DNS cache poisoning practical for an attacker who can observe one query or predict the next ID. This conflicts with RFC 5452 recommendations for mitigating forged DNS answers. inet_res is intended for use in trusted network environments and with trusted recursive resolvers. Earlier documentation did not clearly state this deployment assumption, which could lead users to deploy the resolver in environments where spoofed DNS responses are possible. This vulnerability is associated with program files lib/kernel/src/inet_db.erl and lib/kernel/src/inet_res.erl. This issue affects OTP from OTP 17.0 before OTP 28.4.2, OTP 27.3.4.10 and OTP 26.2.5.19, corresponding to kernel from 3.0 before 10.6.2, 10.2.7.4 and 9.2.4.11. Generation of Predictable Numbers or Identifiers vulnerability in Erlang/OTP kernel (inet_res, inet_db modules) allows DNS Cache Poisoning. The built-in DNS resolver (inet_res) uses a sequential, process-global 16-bit transaction ID for UDP queries and does not implement source port randomization. Response validation relies almost entirely on this ID, making DNS cache poisoning practical for an attacker who can observe one query or predict the next ID. This conflicts with RFC 5452 recommendations for mitigating forged DNS answers. inet_res is intended for use in trusted network environments and with trusted recursive resolvers. Earlier documentation did not clearly state this deployment assumption, which could lead users to deploy the resolver in environments where spoofed DNS responses are possible. This vulnerability is associated with program files lib/kernel/src/inet_db.erl and lib/kernel/src/inet_res.erl. This issue affects OTP from OTP 17.0 before OTP 26.2.5.19, OTP 27.3.4.10, and OTP 28.4.2, corresponding to kernel from 3.0 before 9.2.4.11, 10.2.7.4, and 10.6.2.
References
Type Values Removed Values Added
Description Generation of Predictable Numbers or Identifiers vulnerability in Erlang/OTP kernel (inet_res, inet_db modules) allows DNS Cache Poisoning. The built-in DNS resolver (inet_res) uses a sequential, process-global 16-bit transaction ID for UDP queries and does not implement source port randomization. Response validation relies almost entirely on this ID, making DNS cache poisoning practical for an attacker who can observe one query or predict the next ID. This conflicts with RFC 5452 recommendations for mitigating forged DNS answers. inet_res is intended for use in trusted network environments and with trusted recursive resolvers. Earlier documentation did not clearly state this deployment assumption, which could lead users to deploy the resolver in environments where spoofed DNS responses are possible. This vulnerability is associated with program files lib/kernel/src/inet_db.erl and lib/kernel/src/inet_res.erl. This issue affects OTP from OTP 17.0 until OTP 28.4.2, 27.3.4.10 and 26.2.5.19 corresponding to kernel from 3.0 until 10.6.2, 10.2.7.4 and 9.2.4.11. Generation of Predictable Numbers or Identifiers vulnerability in Erlang/OTP kernel (inet_res, inet_db modules) allows DNS Cache Poisoning. The built-in DNS resolver (inet_res) uses a sequential, process-global 16-bit transaction ID for UDP queries and does not implement source port randomization. Response validation relies almost entirely on this ID, making DNS cache poisoning practical for an attacker who can observe one query or predict the next ID. This conflicts with RFC 5452 recommendations for mitigating forged DNS answers. inet_res is intended for use in trusted network environments and with trusted recursive resolvers. Earlier documentation did not clearly state this deployment assumption, which could lead users to deploy the resolver in environments where spoofed DNS responses are possible. This vulnerability is associated with program files lib/kernel/src/inet_db.erl and lib/kernel/src/inet_res.erl. This issue affects OTP from OTP 17.0 before OTP 28.4.2, OTP 27.3.4.10 and OTP 26.2.5.19, corresponding to kernel from 3.0 before 10.6.2, 10.2.7.4 and 9.2.4.11.
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 5.3, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N'}

cvssV3_1

{'score': 3.7, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Erlang erlang/otp
Erlang otp
Vendors & Products Erlang erlang/otp
Erlang otp
Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-331
References
Metrics threat_severity

None

cvssV3_1

{'score': 5.3, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N'}

threat_severity

Moderate

Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'partial'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description Generation of Predictable Numbers or Identifiers vulnerability in Erlang/OTP kernel (inet_res, inet_db modules) allows DNS Cache Poisoning. The built-in DNS resolver (inet_res) uses a sequential, process-global 16-bit transaction ID for UDP queries and does not implement source port randomization. Response validation relies almost entirely on this ID, making DNS cache poisoning practical for an attacker who can observe one query or predict the next ID. This conflicts with RFC 5452 recommendations for mitigating forged DNS answers. inet_res is intended for use in trusted network environments and with trusted recursive resolvers. Earlier documentation did not clearly state this deployment assumption, which could lead users to deploy the resolver in environments where spoofed DNS responses are possible. This vulnerability is associated with program files lib/kernel/src/inet_db.erl and lib/kernel/src/inet_res.erl. This issue affects OTP from OTP 17.0 until OTP 28.4.2, 27.3.4.10 and 26.2.5.19 corresponding to kernel from 3.0 until 10.6.2, 10.2.7.4 and 9.2.4.11.
Title Predictable DNS Transaction IDs Enable Cache Poisoning in Built-in Resolver
First Time appeared Erlang
Erlang erlang\/otp
Weaknesses CWE-340
CPEs cpe:2.3:a:erlang:erlang\/otp:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Vendors & Products Erlang
Erlang erlang\/otp
References
Metrics cvssV4_0

{'score': 6.3, 'vector': 'CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:H/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:N/VI:L/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N'}

Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
EEF
Published
Updated
Nov 11, 2026, 7:28 PM
Reserved
Mar 3, 2026, 2:40 PM
Status
Modified
Published
Apr 7, 2026, 9:16 AM
Modified
Nov 11, 2026, 8:17 PM
Severity
Moderate
Public date
Apr 7, 2026, 7:50 AM