Description
Format string vulnerability in the php_snmp_error function in ext/snmp/snmp.c in PHP before 5.5.34, 5.6.x before 5.6.20, and 7.x before 7.0.5 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via format string specifiers in an SNMP::get call.
Fixed in Linux distributions
Distributions backport fixes, so the version that fixes this vulnerability differs per release — upgrade to at least the version shown. From the distributions' security trackers and advisories.
Debian
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 8 | php5 | 5.6.20+dfsg-0+deb8u1 | DSA-3560-1 |
| Debian 7 | php5 | 5.4.45-0+deb7u3 | DLA-499-1 |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | php7.0 | 7.0.4-7ubuntu2.1 | USN-2984-1 |
| Ubuntu 14.04 LTS | php5 | 5.5.9+dfsg-1ubuntu4.16 | USN-2984-1 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 2 | rh-php56 +2 | 2.3-1.el6 | RHSA-2016:2750 |
| RHEL 2 | rh-php56-php +27 | 5.6.25-1.el6 | RHSA-2016:2750 |
| RHEL 2 | rh-php56-php-pear | 1:1.9.5-4.el6 | RHSA-2016:2750 |
SUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES 12 SP1 | php5 | 5.5.14-56.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:1277-1 |
| SLES 12 | php5 | 5.5.14-56.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:1277-1 |
Public exploits
Exploit or proof-of-concept code for this vulnerability is publicly available, which lowers the bar for attackers. Treat it as a reason to patch sooner.
Third-party code, not reviewed by us. Public PoCs are sometimes fake or contain malware. Read the code first and run it only in an isolated lab, against systems you are authorised to test.
Exploit-DB 1
- PHP 5.5.33/7.0.4 - SNMP Format String EDB-39645 · remote · Apr 1, 2016
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 5
- RHSA-2016:2750 Red Hat Security Advisory: rh-php56 security, bug fix, and enhancement update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Aug 5, 2026
- USN-2984-1 php5, php7.0 vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Apr 22, 2026
- DLA-499-1 php5 - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- DSA-3560-1 php5 - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2016:1277-1 Security update for php5 SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
References
- USN-2952-1 vendor-advisory
- https://git.php.net/?p=php-src.git%3Ba=commit%3Bh=6e25966544fb1d2f3d7596e060ce9c9269bbdcf8
- https://h20566.www2.hpe.com/portal/site/hpsc/public/kb/docDisplay?docId=emr_na-c05320149
- http://www.php.net/ChangeLog-7.php
- GLSA-201611-22 vendor-advisory
- https://support.apple.com/HT206567
- https://bugs.php.net/bug.php?id=71704
- RHSA-2016:2750 vendor-advisory
- DSA-3560 vendor-advisory
- USN-2952-2 vendor-advisory
- APPLE-SA-2016-05-16-4 vendor-advisory
- 39645 exploit
- http://www.php.net/ChangeLog-5.php
- https://h20566.www2.hpe.com/portal/site/hpsc/public/kb/docDisplay?docId=emr_na-c05390722
- https://h20566.www2.hpe.com/portal/site/hpsc/public/kb/docDisplay?docId=emr_na-c05240731
- 85800 vdb-entry
- openSUSE-SU-2016:1274 vendor-advisory
- SUSE-SU-2016:1277 vendor-advisory
- [oss-security] 20160423 Re: CVE request: PHP issues fixed in 7.0.5, 5.6.20 and 5.5.34 releases mailing-list
- openSUSE-SU-2016:1373 vendor-advisory