CVE-2007-3098 in SNMPc
Summary
by MITRE
The SNMPc Server (crserv.exe) process in Castle Rock Computing SNMPc before 7.0.19 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via a crafted packet to port 165/TCP.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/20/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-3098 affects the SNMPc Server component of Castle Rock Computing SNMPc software versions prior to 7.0.19. This represents a critical denial of service weakness that can be exploited remotely by attackers to crash the targeted system. The vulnerability specifically impacts the crserv.exe process which serves as the core server component responsible for SNMP monitoring and management functions within the SNMPc environment. The attack vector involves sending a specially crafted packet to the TCP port 165, which is the standard port used by SNMPc for its server communications. This port serves as the primary interface for SNMPc server operations and is typically exposed to network traffic in operational environments.
The technical flaw stems from insufficient input validation and error handling within the SNMPc server process. When the crserv.exe process receives a malformed or crafted packet on port 165, it fails to properly validate the incoming data structure and lacks appropriate defensive mechanisms to handle unexpected input. This processing error leads to an uncontrolled crash of the server process, effectively causing a denial of service condition that disrupts legitimate SNMP monitoring operations. The vulnerability demonstrates poor defensive programming practices where the system does not implement robust exception handling or input sanitization routines. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-129 Input Validation and Type Confusion, as the system fails to validate input data before processing it. The weakness also aligns with CWE-248 Uncontrolled Resource Consumption, since the improper handling of crafted input leads to resource exhaustion or process termination.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise network monitoring capabilities that organizations rely upon for system health assessment and incident response. When the SNMPc server crashes, network administrators lose visibility into monitored systems, potentially masking actual network issues or security events. This creates a false sense of security while the monitoring infrastructure is compromised, leaving critical network assets vulnerable to undetected threats. The vulnerability affects organizations that depend on SNMPc for network management, particularly those with large enterprise networks where SNMP monitoring is essential for maintaining operational continuity. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries can exploit this weakness from anywhere on the network without requiring local access or authentication credentials, making it particularly dangerous for systems exposed to untrusted networks. This vulnerability also impacts the availability aspect of the CIA triad by compromising system availability through intentional service disruption.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to SNMPc version 7.0.19 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the input validation weaknesses. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to restrict access to port 165, limiting exposure to trusted networks only. Firewalls and network access control lists should be configured to filter or block unauthorized traffic to the affected port. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other network management tools and systems. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1499 Endpoint Denial of Service, as it represents an attack technique that targets system availability through service disruption. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns of traffic targeting port 165, and incident response procedures should include specific protocols for handling SNMPc server crashes. System administrators should also consider implementing redundant monitoring solutions to ensure continued network visibility even when the primary SNMPc server is compromised. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date network management software and implementing proper input validation practices in all server applications to prevent similar weaknesses from being exploited in the future.