Title

Network devices must only allow SNMP read-only access. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

Enabling write access to the device via SNMP provides a mechanism that can be exploited by an attacker to set configuration variables that can disrupt network operations.

Check Content

Review the network device configuration and verify SNMP community strings are read-only when using SNMPv1, v2c, or basic v3 (no authentication or privacy). Write access may be used if authentication is configured when using SNMPv3. If write-access is used for SNMP versions 1, 2c, or 3-noAuthNoPriv mode and there is no documented approval by the ISSO, this is a finding.

Fix Text

Configure the network device to allow for read-only SNMP access when using SNMPv1, v2c, or basic v3 (no authentication or privacy). Write access may be used if authentication is configured when using SNMPv3.

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-3969r5_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-3969

Group Title: Network element must only allow SNMP read access.

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

Controls tied to check. These are derived from the CCIs shown above.