CVE-2018-18066 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Net-SNMP before version 5.8 is vulnerable to a NULL pointer exception bug in the snmp_oid_compare function, allowing unauthorized attackers to remotely crash instances via manipulated UDP packets, leading to a denial of service.

Understanding CVE-2018-18066

This CVE involves a vulnerability in Net-SNMP that can be exploited by attackers to cause a denial of service by crashing instances remotely.

What is CVE-2018-18066?

The snmp_oid_compare function in Net-SNMP prior to version 5.8 contains a vulnerability due to a NULL pointer exception bug. Attackers can exploit this bug to crash instances remotely by sending manipulated UDP packets, resulting in a denial of service.

The Impact of CVE-2018-18066

Attackers can exploit the vulnerability to crash instances remotely.
This can lead to a denial of service situation.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-18066

Net-SNMP before version 5.8 is affected by a vulnerability that allows unauthorized attackers to crash instances remotely.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability lies in the snmp_oid_compare function in the snmplib/snmp_api.c file within Net-SNMP before version 5.8, where a NULL pointer exception bug exists.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Not applicable
Vendor: Not applicable
Versions affected: Not applicable

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit the vulnerability by sending manipulated UDP packets to crash instances remotely.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2018-18066, follow these mitigation steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Net-SNMP to version 5.8 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Implement network segmentation to limit exposure to potential attackers.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and patch systems to prevent vulnerabilities.
Conduct security training for staff to recognize and respond to potential threats.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches and updates provided by Net-SNMP to fix the vulnerability.