CVE-2005-1246 in snmppd
Summary
by MITRE
Format string vulnerability in the snmppd_log function in snmppd_util.c for snmppd 0.4.5 and earlier may allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service or execute arbitrary code via format string specifiers that are not properly handled in a syslog call.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/12/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-1246 represents a critical format string flaw within the snmppd network monitoring daemon version 0.4.5 and earlier. This issue specifically affects the snmppd_log function located in the snmppd_util.c source file, which is responsible for logging network management protocol activities. The flaw arises from improper handling of format string specifiers when processing user-supplied input through syslog calls, creating a dangerous condition that can be exploited by remote attackers to manipulate the application's behavior.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from the function's failure to properly sanitize or validate input parameters before using them in printf-style formatting operations. When snmppd receives network management requests containing specially crafted format specifiers, these inputs are directly passed to the syslog function without appropriate preprocessing or escaping mechanisms. This creates a classic format string vulnerability that falls under CWE-134, which specifically addresses the use of untrusted data in format string operations. The vulnerability allows attackers to inject format specifiers such as %x, %s, or %n that can be interpreted by the printf family of functions to read from memory locations or write data to specific addresses.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service to encompass potential remote code execution capabilities. Attackers can leverage this flaw to cause the snmppd daemon to crash and restart repeatedly, leading to persistent service disruption and denial of network management services. More critically, the format string vulnerability enables arbitrary code execution by allowing attackers to overwrite memory locations, potentially leading to privilege escalation and complete system compromise. The attack surface is particularly concerning for network infrastructure monitoring systems where snmppd is deployed, as these systems often run with elevated privileges and handle sensitive network management data.
This vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK framework techniques including T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage and T1499 for network denial of service. The exploitation process typically involves sending malformed SNMP packets containing crafted format specifiers that trigger the vulnerable code path. The lack of proper input validation in the logging function creates an attack vector that can be exploited without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous in network environments where SNMP traffic is exposed to untrusted networks. Organizations running affected versions of snmppd should immediately implement mitigations including input validation, patching to newer versions, and network segmentation to limit exposure to potential attackers.
The remediation strategy for CVE-2005-1246 requires immediate patching of the snmppd daemon to version 0.4.6 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for proper format string handling. Additionally, system administrators should implement input validation controls and consider deploying network monitoring solutions that can detect and block malformed SNMP traffic. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input sanitization in security-critical applications and serves as a reminder of the potential consequences when developers fail to properly handle user-supplied data in logging and formatting operations. Organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their network monitoring infrastructure to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other critical systems.