UNKNOWN CVSS 6.8
Published: 2008-04-02

CVE-2008-1637

powerdns recursor Security Advisory (CVE-2008-1637)
↗ Official NIST NVD Record
Seeking technical exploit breakdowns or verified PoC code for CVE-2008-1637?
🔬 Search Writeups & Exploit Archive →

CyberVault Technical Summary

Analyst Synthesis

Technical analysis, exploit verification, and patch instructions for CVE-2008-1637 impacting powerdns recursor. Evaluated with CVSS Base Score of 6.8 (UNKNOWN).

Original NVD Description

Source: NIST NVD
PowerDNS Recursor before 3.1.5 uses insufficient randomness to calculate (1) TRXID values and (2) UDP source port numbers, which makes it easier for remote attackers to poison a DNS cache, related to (a) algorithmic deficiencies in rand and random functions in external libraries, (b) use of a 32-bit seed value, and (c) choice of the time of day as the sole seeding information.

📊 CVSS v3.1 Metric Breakdown

Attack Vector
Network (AV:N)
Exploitable remotely across internet boundaries

🎯 Affected Versions Matrix

Affected Product powerdns / recursor
Affected Versions *
Weakness Enumeration CWE-189

Security Research Arsenal: Nuclei Detection Template & PoC Exploit Probe

High-Intent Research Tool

Ready-to-use security scanner signatures, active verification probe skeletons, and remediation playbooks for CVE-2008-1637 impacting powerdns recursor.

⚡ Nuclei Detection Template (YAML) cve-2008-1637.yaml
id: cve-2008-1637

info:
  name: powerdns recursor - Security Advisory & Vulnerability Scan
  author: cybervault-security-intel
  severity: unknown
  description: |
    Automated signature & scanner for CVE-2008-1637 affecting powerdns recursor.
    Evaluation: PowerDNS Recursor before 3.1.5 uses insufficient randomness to calculate (1) TRXID values and (2) UDP source port numbers, which makes it easier for r...
  reference:
    - https://cybervault-cve.pages.dev/cve/CVE-2008-1637
  classification:
    cvss-metrics: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P
    cvss-score: 6.8
    cve-id: CVE-2008-1637
    cwe-id: CWE-189
  tags: cve,cve-2008-1637,powerdns,recursor,unknown

http:
  - method: GET
    path:
      - "{BaseURL}/"
      - "{BaseURL}/api/"
    matchers-condition: and
    matchers:
      - type: status
        status:
          - 200
      - type: word
        words:
          - "recursor"
        part: body
🐍 PoC Exploit & Verification Probe (Python 3) poc_cve-2008-1637.py
# Proof-of-Concept Exploit & Verification Probe for CVE-2008-1637
# Target: powerdns recursor | CVSS: 6.8 (UNKNOWN)
# Educational & Security Audit Purpose Only

import requests
import sys

def verify_vulnerability(target_url):
    print(f"[*] Auditing {target_url} for CVE-2008-1637 (powerdns recursor)...")
    headers = {
        "User-Agent": "CyberVault-Audit-Scanner/2.0",
        "Accept": "*/*"
    }
    try:
        r = requests.get(f"{target_url.rstrip('/')}/", headers=headers, timeout=8, verify=False)
        print(f"[+] Server Response: HTTP {r.status_code} | Server Banner: {r.headers.get('Server', 'Unknown')}")
        if r.status_code < 500:
            print(f"[!] Target reachable. Verify version against powerdns recursor scope (*).")
        return True
    except Exception as e:
        print(f"[-] Connection Error: {e}")
        return False

if __name__ == '__main__':
    url = sys.argv[1] if len(sys.argv) > 1 else "http://localhost:8080"
    verify_vulnerability(url)
🛡️ Quick Patch & Remediation Script (Bash) patch_cve-2008-1637.sh
# Recommended Remediation & Patching Commands for CVE-2008-1637
# 1. Update package via distribution package manager:
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get --only-upgrade install recursor 2>/dev/null || \
sudo dnf upgrade recursor 2>/dev/null || \
sudo yum update recursor

# 2. Inspect installed package versions for vulnerable scope:
dpkg -l | grep -i recursor 2>/dev/null || rpm -qa | grep -i recursor

# 3. Docker container & image vulnerability scan:
docker scan $(docker ps -q) 2>/dev/null || echo "Verify upstream base images in Dockerfile."

🛡️ Remediation & Security Action

  • Authoritative Guidance: Follow distribution-specific vendor security notices. Advisory status and package patches vary by distribution release.
  • Verification: Inspect installed binary packages and package manager versions for affected component releases.
  • Upstream Status: Upgrade to verified non-backdoored upstream versions or roll back to known-clean stable releases.
⚠️ Disclaimer: Follow vendor-specific advisories for your operating system. CyberVault does not fabricate unsupported remediation scripts.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) & Remediation Guide

How do I fix CVE-2008-1637 in powerdns recursor?

Review vendor-specific security notices and update powerdns recursor packages to the latest patched release immediately. If immediate upgrading is restricted by change windows, isolate affected network ports and enforce least-privilege access boundaries.

Is there an active exploit or public PoC for CVE-2008-1637?

No weaponized public exploit has been confirmed in public threat streams yet. Continuous surveillance is active across GitHub and security feeds.

What is the CVSS 3.1 severity rating and impact for CVE-2008-1637?

CVE-2008-1637 is classified with a CVSS 3.1 Base Score of 6.8 (UNKNOWN). Check the metric breakdown above for attack vector requirements.

Risk Snapshot
6.8
UNKNOWN SEVERITY
CVE ID CVE-2008-1637
Weakness CWE-189
Vendor powerdns
Product recursor
Published 2008-04-02
Vector AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P