CVE-2007-0640 in Zabbix
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in ZABBIX before 1.1.5 has unknown impact and attack vectors related to "SNMP IP addresses."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/18/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-0640 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the ZABBIX monitoring system version 1.1.4 and earlier. This issue specifically manifests in the handling of SNMP IP addresses, where the software fails to properly validate input lengths before processing network addresses. The buffer overflow occurs when the system attempts to store SNMP IP address data in a fixed-size memory buffer without adequate bounds checking, creating an exploitable condition that could allow attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to write beyond allocated memory boundaries. The flaw exists in the SNMP monitoring functionality of ZABBIX, where network addresses are processed as part of the system's network discovery and monitoring capabilities. Attackers could potentially exploit this by crafting malicious SNMP IP address inputs that exceed the allocated buffer size, leading to arbitrary code execution or system instability. The attack vectors remain unspecified in the original CVE description, but typically such vulnerabilities in network monitoring systems can be leveraged through crafted SNMP responses or malformed network packets.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system crashes, as it could enable remote code execution on systems running vulnerable ZABBIX versions. Organizations relying on ZABBIX for network monitoring and system health tracking would face significant risk exposure, particularly in environments where SNMP monitoring is extensively used. The vulnerability affects the core monitoring functionality of the system, potentially allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access to network infrastructure monitoring capabilities and access sensitive system information. This creates a substantial risk for enterprise environments where ZABBIX is deployed for critical infrastructure monitoring, as the compromise could provide attackers with visibility into network topology and system states.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-0640 should prioritize immediate patching to ZABBIX version 1.1.5 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the SNMP IP address handling. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of vulnerable ZABBIX systems to untrusted networks. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patched systems to ensure compatibility with existing monitoring configurations. Additionally, implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous SNMP traffic patterns may help identify exploitation attempts. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving remote code execution and privilege escalation, making it particularly concerning for attackers seeking persistent access to monitored network environments. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems specifically configured to monitor for SNMP-related anomalies that could indicate exploitation attempts.