CVE-2014-1452 in FreeBSD
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in lib/snmpagent.c in bsnmpd, as used in FreeBSD 8.3 through 10.0, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (daemon crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a crafted GETBULK PDU request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/08/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-1452 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within the bsnmpd daemon's SNMP agent implementation in FreeBSD operating systems ranging from version 8.3 through 10.0. This issue resides in the lib/snmpagent.c source file and specifically affects the handling of GETBULK PDU requests within the Simple Network Management Protocol implementation. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-121, stack-based buffer overflow, where insufficient bounds checking allows malicious input to overwrite adjacent memory locations on the program stack. The vulnerability's exploitation potential extends beyond simple denial of service to include arbitrary code execution, making it particularly dangerous for network services that handle untrusted input from remote sources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the bsnmpd daemon processes incoming GETBULK SNMP requests without adequate validation of packet structure and data length parameters. Attackers can craft specially formatted GETBULK PDUs that exceed the allocated buffer space within the SNMP agent's processing functions, leading to stack corruption. This type of memory corruption typically results in unpredictable program behavior including crashes, segmentation faults, or in more sophisticated exploitation scenarios, code execution within the context of the bsnmpd process. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not need local access to the system, enabling network-based attacks that can compromise the integrity and availability of the affected FreeBSD systems.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-1452 extends significantly beyond simple service disruption as it creates opportunities for persistent system compromise and broader network infiltration. When exploited successfully, this vulnerability allows remote attackers to potentially execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the bsnmpd daemon process, which typically runs with elevated permissions. The daemon's role as an SNMP management agent makes it a valuable target for attackers seeking to establish persistent access points within network infrastructure. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 for valid accounts and T1105 for remote file execution, as it enables attackers to gain unauthorized access to system resources through legitimate management protocols. Organizations running affected FreeBSD versions face potential compromise of network monitoring capabilities, as the SNMP daemon serves as a critical component for system administration and network management.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-1452 should prioritize immediate patching of affected FreeBSD systems to versions that contain the fixed implementation of the SNMP agent buffer handling routines. System administrators should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of SNMP services to trusted networks only, reducing the attack surface for remote exploitation attempts. The implementation of intrusion detection systems capable of identifying malformed SNMP GETBULK requests can provide additional layers of defense, while regular security audits should verify that SNMP services are properly configured and monitored. Organizations should also consider disabling SNMP services entirely if they are not required for operational needs, as this represents the most effective mitigation against this specific vulnerability. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of patched systems to ensure that the vulnerability has been properly addressed without introducing regressions in legitimate SNMP functionality.