CVE-2005-1848 in dhcpcd
Summary
by MITRE
The dhcpcd DHCP client before 1.3.22 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (daemon crash) via unknown vectors that cause an out-of-bounds memory read.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2025
The dhcpcd DHCP client vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-1848 represents a critical denial of service flaw that affected versions prior to 1.3.22. This vulnerability specifically targets the DHCP client daemon responsible for automatically configuring network interfaces through dynamic host configuration protocol communications. The issue manifests as an out-of-bounds memory read condition that can be triggered by remote attackers through unspecified vectors, potentially leading to complete daemon crashes and network connectivity disruption for affected systems. The vulnerability resides within the client-side implementation of DHCP protocol handling where improper memory management allows maliciously crafted network responses to trigger memory access violations.
The technical nature of this flaw places it squarely within the CWE-125 category of out-of-bounds read vulnerabilities, which represents a fundamental memory safety issue where the program attempts to read memory beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. This type of vulnerability typically occurs when input validation is insufficient or when array indexing calculations are flawed, allowing an attacker to manipulate memory access patterns through crafted network packets. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require local system access or authentication to trigger the condition, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where DHCP clients are prevalent. The daemon crash resulting from this vulnerability effectively terminates the DHCP client service, preventing systems from automatically obtaining network configuration parameters such as IP addresses, subnet masks, default gateways, and DNS server information.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-1848 extends beyond simple service disruption to encompass broader network reliability concerns. When the dhcpcd daemon crashes, affected systems lose their ability to dynamically configure network interfaces, forcing network administrators to manually intervene and restore connectivity. This vulnerability particularly affects embedded systems, servers, and workstations that rely on automatic DHCP configuration, creating cascading effects in environments where multiple devices depend on uninterrupted network services. The vulnerability's presence in widely deployed DHCP client implementations means that a successful exploitation could impact numerous devices across different network segments, potentially causing widespread service degradation. Organizations relying on automated network configuration may experience extended downtime as systems must be manually reconfigured or rebooted to restore DHCP functionality.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability center on immediate patch deployment to upgrade dhcpcd clients to version 1.3.22 or later, which contains the necessary memory boundary checks and input validation fixes. Network administrators should implement proactive monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and establish automated patch management processes to ensure timely deployment of security updates. Additional defensive measures include implementing network segmentation to limit exposure of vulnerable systems, deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for anomalous DHCP traffic patterns, and establishing redundant network configuration methods such as static IP assignments for critical systems. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust memory safety practices in network service implementations and highlights the need for comprehensive input validation across all network protocol handling components. Organizations should also consider implementing network access controls to limit the scope of potential exploitation while maintaining operational continuity through proper system hardening and security configuration practices.