OpenDMARC: Improper Authentication
CVE-2026-101281 is a high-severity improper authentication vulnerability in OpenDMARC from Trusted Domain Project, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.3 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected OpenDMARC versions: 1.4.0; 1.4.1; 1.4.2. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.41% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Check which version of OpenDMARC you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trusted Domain Project | OpenDMARC | 1.4.0; 1.4.1; 1.4.2 | Not stated |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- LowSome restricted data can be read.
- Integrity
- LowLimited modification of data is possible.
- Availability
- LowPerformance or availability is reduced.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L. Scored by CNA (vuldb.com).
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 4.0 | 5.5 | Medium | CNA (vuldb.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.3 | High | CNA (vuldb.com) |
| CVSS 2.0 | 7.5 | High | CNA (vuldb.com) |
Official description
A flaw has been found in Trusted Domain Project OpenDMARC up to 1.4.2. Affected by this vulnerability is the function opendmarc_sp2_find_mailfrom_domain of the file libopendmarc/opendmarc_spf.c of the component SPF Macro Handler. This manipulation causes improper authentication. The attack is possible to be carried out remotely. The exploit has been published and may be used. Patch name: c48a74c758677fc5272a73eff15ffdbf8afda1a6. Applying a patch is the recommended action to fix this issue.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Authentication
When an actor claims to have a given identity, the product does not prove or insufficiently proves that the claim is correct.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Use an authentication framework or library such as the OWASP ESAPI Authentication feature.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: poc, automatable: yes, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Patches and release notes
Other references
Other vulnerabilities in OpenDMARC
- 7.3 High severity
- 7.3 High severity
- 7.3 High severity
- 7.3 High severity
Recent Improper Authentication vulnerabilities
- 8.1 High severity
- 9.6 Critical severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.3 High severity
- 7.3 High severity
- 10.0 Critical severity
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