CVE-2022-44792 in Net-SNMP
Summary
by MITRE • 11/07/2022
handle_ipDefaultTTL in agent/mibgroup/ip-mib/ip_scalars.c in Net-SNMP 5.8 through 5.9.3 has a NULL Pointer Exception bug that can be used by a remote attacker (who has write access) to cause the instance to crash via a crafted UDP packet, resulting in Denial of Service.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/29/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-44792 resides within the Net-SNMP software suite, specifically in the agent/mibgroup/ip-mib/ip_scalars.c component. This issue affects versions 5.8 through 5.9.3 of the Net-SNMP implementation, representing a critical security flaw that can be exploited remotely by authenticated attackers. The vulnerability manifests in the handle_ipDefaultTTL function which fails to properly validate input parameters when processing UDP packets, creating a condition where a null pointer dereference can occur. This flaw directly violates the principles of secure coding practices and represents a classic example of improper input validation that can lead to application instability.
The technical execution of this vulnerability requires an attacker to possess write access to the SNMP agent, which typically means they must have sufficient privileges to send crafted SNMP requests or manipulate the MIB data. When a malicious UDP packet is received and processed by the vulnerable handle_ipDefaultTTL function, the code attempts to dereference a null pointer, causing the SNMP agent process to terminate abruptly. This behavior constitutes a denial of service condition that can be exploited to disrupt network monitoring and management operations that depend on the SNMP agent. The null pointer exception occurs because the function does not properly check for null return values from memory allocation or data retrieval operations before proceeding with pointer operations, creating a direct pathway for process termination.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to network infrastructure management systems that rely on Net-SNMP for monitoring and configuration. When exploited successfully, the vulnerability can cause complete service disruption for SNMP-based network management applications, potentially leaving network administrators without critical monitoring capabilities. The impact extends beyond simple service interruption as it can affect the reliability of network operations, particularly in environments where SNMP is used for automated network management tasks. Organizations may experience cascading failures in their monitoring infrastructure, potentially leading to extended downtime and increased incident response times. The vulnerability's remote exploitability combined with its requirement for only write access makes it particularly dangerous in environments where SNMP community strings may be weak or compromised.
The flaw aligns with CWE-476 which specifically addresses NULL Pointer Dereference conditions, and represents a clear violation of the principle of defensive programming. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1499.004 which covers Network Denial of Service attacks, and potentially T1566 which involves phishing with social engineering techniques to gain the necessary write access. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions of Net-SNMP, applying network segmentation to limit write access to SNMP agents, and implementing proper access controls for SNMP community strings. Additional defensive measures should include monitoring for unusual SNMP traffic patterns, implementing network intrusion detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts, and establishing robust patch management processes to ensure timely remediation of such vulnerabilities. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and error handling in network services, particularly those that process external network traffic.