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CVE-2025-40780: High Vulnerability in BIND 9

CVE-2025-40780 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting BIND 9 due to a weakness in its Pseudo Random Number Generator. This flaw can allow attackers to predict critical network parameters, necessitating immediate remediation.

HIGHCVSS 8.6 · Published October 22, 2025

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CVE-2025-40780 is classified as a high-severity vulnerability with a CVSS score of 8.6. This vulnerability allows attackers to exploit weaknesses in the Pseudo Random Number Generator (PRNG) used by BIND 9, potentially enabling them to predict the source port and query ID during DNS transactions. Affected versions include BIND 9.16.0 through 9.16.50, 9.18.0 through 9.18.39, 9.20.0 through 9.20.13, and 9.21.0 through 9.21.12, among others.

Risk to organizations includes unauthorized access and cache poisoning attacks which can lead to further exploitation of network resources. The ease of exploitation, given the low attack complexity and no required privileges or user interaction, amplifies the urgency for organizations to address this vulnerability.

As this vulnerability is currently awaiting analysis, it is crucial for organizations using affected versions of BIND 9 to prioritize patching immediately. The implications of not addressing this vulnerability could be significant, as attackers may leverage this weakness to manipulate DNS queries.

Organizations are advised to monitor for updates and assess their systems for the presence of this vulnerability to mitigate potential risks.

Vulnerability Details

The vulnerability is due to a weakness in the Pseudo Random Number Generator (PRNG) used in BIND 9. This affects versions 9.16.0 through 9.16.50, 9.18.0 through 9.18.39, 9.20.0 through 9.20.13, and 9.21.0 through 9.21.12, which could be exploited by attackers to predict the source port and query ID. The CVSS score of 8.6 characterizes this vulnerability as high severity, indicating a significant risk to affected systems.

Technical Analysis

The root cause of CVE-2025-40780 lies in the PRNG utilized by BIND 9, which has been found to exhibit predictability under specific conditions. The attack vector is network-based, allowing remote attackers to exploit the issue without needing local access to the system. The attack complexity is low, with no privileges required and no user interaction necessary, making it an attractive target for potential exploitation.

In terms of impact, the vulnerability has a high integrity impact since attackers could manipulate DNS responses, while confidentiality and availability impacts are minimal. This combination of factors necessitates immediate attention from organizations to safeguard their network integrity.

Risk & Impact Analysis

Real-world deployment risks include the potential for cache poisoning and subsequent unauthorized access to sensitive data or systems. The blast radius is considerable, as the DNS infrastructure is critical for network operations. Organizations should evaluate their exposure to this vulnerability and prioritize remediation based on the high CVSS score and the potential for exploitation.

Given the current status of the vulnerability, organizations need to monitor updates and prepare for patch deployment as soon as vendor advisories are available. The urgency is high due to the straightforward nature of the potential attack and its possible consequences.

Exploitation Status

Signal

Status

Known Exploit

No

Public PoC

No

Actively Exploited

No

Ransomware Use

No

Affected Versions

The vulnerability affects BIND 9 versions 9.16.0 through 9.16.50, 9.18.0 through 9.18.39, 9.20.0 through 9.20.13, and 9.21.0 through 9.21.12, as well as their respective S1 versions.

Mitigation & Remediation

Organizations should prioritize patching immediately by updating to the latest version of BIND 9 to mitigate this vulnerability. If an immediate update is not feasible, consider implementing network controls to limit exposure and enhance monitoring of DNS traffic to detect anomalies. Further guidance can be found in the AppSecure penetration testing services for proactive security measures.

Detection Guidance

Monitoring for unusual DNS queries or unexpected changes in query patterns can help detect potential exploitation of this vulnerability. Log indicators should include source and destination ports, query IDs, and timestamps to facilitate analysis.

AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight

CVE-2025-40780 underscores the importance of robust PRNG implementations in network services. Security teams should be vigilant about monitoring for vulnerabilities that could disrupt service integrity. For further insights on enhancing DNS security, organizations may refer to the cloud security assessment guide and related best practices. Additionally, exploring proactive measures through penetration testing methodologies can strengthen defenses against similar vulnerabilities.

Finally, organizations should stay informed about emerging threats by keeping abreast of updates from security advisories, as the landscape of vulnerabilities continues to evolve.

Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.

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