CVE-2014-3565 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
snmplib/mib.c in net-snmp 5.7.0 and earlier, when the -OQ option is used, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (snmptrapd crash) via a crafted SNMP trap message, which triggers a conversion to the variable type designated in the MIB file, as demonstrated by a NULL type in an ifMtu trap message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/02/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2014-3565 resides within the net-snmp implementation, specifically in the snmplib/mib.c component of versions 5.7.0 and earlier. This flaw manifests when the -OQ option is employed during SNMP trap processing, creating a critical path for remote attackers to execute denial of service attacks against snmptrapd services. The vulnerability operates through a sophisticated manipulation of SNMP trap message structures that leverages MIB file type conversions to trigger system instability. The technical execution involves crafting malicious SNMP trap messages that contain specifically formatted data structures designed to exploit the type conversion mechanism within the SNMP trap processing pipeline.
The core technical flaw involves improper handling of variable type conversions during SNMP trap processing when the -OQ flag is active. When snmptrapd receives a crafted trap message, it attempts to convert the received data into the variable type specified in the corresponding MIB file. In the case demonstrated with ifMtu trap messages, the vulnerability exploits a NULL type designation within the MIB file structure, causing the snmptrapd process to crash upon attempting to process this malformed data. This represents a classic buffer overread or null pointer dereference condition that occurs during type conversion operations, where the system fails to properly validate or sanitize incoming SNMP trap data before attempting type coercion.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can be exploited remotely without authentication, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where SNMP trap services are actively listening for incoming notifications. The denial of service condition effectively renders the snmptrapd service unavailable, potentially disrupting network monitoring and alerting systems that depend on SNMP trap processing. This vulnerability directly impacts the availability aspect of the CIA triad and can be classified under CWE-125 as an out-of-bounds read or CWE-476 as a null pointer dereference, depending on the specific execution path taken during exploitation. The attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service and T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage, demonstrating how SNMP trap processing can be weaponized for service disruption.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-3565 should focus on immediate version upgrades to net-snmp 5.7.1 or later, where the vulnerability has been patched through enhanced input validation and proper type conversion handling. Network administrators should implement strict SNMP trap filtering rules that validate incoming trap message formats before they reach the snmptrapd service, particularly focusing on MIB compliance checking and null value validation. The -OQ option should be disabled or carefully restricted in environments where untrusted SNMP traffic is expected, as this flag directly enables the vulnerable code path. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit SNMP trap service exposure can reduce the attack surface. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual snmptrapd crash patterns or service restarts that may indicate exploitation attempts, while regular vulnerability assessments should verify that SNMP trap processing configurations do not inadvertently enable vulnerable operational modes.