# CVE-2006-2444: Use after free in n/a

> Remote attackers can crash the Linux kernel via the SNMP NAT helper due to double-free and random memory free errors in snmp_trap_decode.

- **Severity:** High 7.8 (`AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:N/I:N/A:C`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 25 May 2006
- **Updated:** 7 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-c9wr-fgjx-x6hj

## What is CVE-2006-2444?

CVE-2006-2444 is a high-severity use after free vulnerability in Linux kernel, published on 25 May 2006. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

The snmp_trap_decode function in the SNMP NAT helper for Linux kernel before 2.6.16.18 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via unspecified remote attack vectors that cause failures in snmp_trap_decode that trigger (1) frees of random memory or (2) frees of previously-freed memory (double-free) by snmp_trap_decode as well as its calling function, as demonstrated via certain test cases of the PROTOS SNMP test suite.

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2006-2444?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Linux kernel.

## How do I fix CVE-2006-2444?

Upgrade to a fixed version.

## Is CVE-2006-2444 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2006-2444 exists.

Public exploit code:

- Linux Kernel < 2.6.16.18 - Netfilter NAT SNMP Module Remote Denial of Service (exploitdb)

## Other vulnerabilities in Linux kernel

- [CVE-2026-53266](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-53266/): Linux Kernel Out-of-Bounds Write (high 8.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2013-6282](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2013-6282/): Linux Kernel Improper Input Validation (high 8.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2022-0185](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2022-0185/): Linux Kernel Heap-Based Buffer Overflow (high 8.4, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2013-2094](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2013-2094/): Linux Kernel Privilege Escalation (high 8.4, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2026-53362](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-53362/): Linux Kernel Unspecified (high 7.8, exploited in the wild)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2006-2444 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2006-2444 is a high-severity use after free vulnerability in Linux kernel, published on 25 May 2006. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2006-2444 exists.

Affected product: Linux kernel. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2006-2444/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2006-2444/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2006-2444
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2006-2444
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2006-2444

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2006-2444/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.