CVE-2005-3252: Stack-based buffer overflow in the Back Orifice (BO) preprocessor for Snort before 2.4.3 allows remote attacke

Q: How do I fix CVE-2005-3252?

snort: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2005-3252 being exploited?

CVE-2005-3252 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2005-3252 affect?

CVE-2005-3252 affects snort. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). Stack-based buffer overflow in the Back Orifice (BO) preprocessor for Snort before 2.4.3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted UDP packet.

Q: How urgent is CVE-2005-3252?

Priority 56/100. High severity; EPSS top 1%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference

This week

HIGH 7.5DOWNGRADE

CVE-2005-3252 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting snort. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Stack-based buffer overflow in the Back Orifice (BO) preprocessor for Snort before 2.4.3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted UDP packet.

Why this priority

High severity
EPSS top 1%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.5 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	83.9% (top 1%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2005-10-18
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: sourcefire

Last updated 2026-06-16 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2005-10-18 21:02 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:16 UTCUpdated Record last modified

sourcefire snort DOWNGRADE

Affected: 2.4.0 · 2.4.1 · 2.4.2

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.4.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy snort || rpm -q snort || snort --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.4.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison snort sudo apt install snort=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.4.0> sudo apt-mark hold snort

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list snort sudo dnf downgrade snort-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.4.0> sudo dnf versionlock add snort

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Public exploits and detection

Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.

Exploit-DB: Snort 2.4.0 < 2.4.3 - Back Orifice Pre-Preprocessor Remote (Metasploit)
Exploit-DB: Snort 2.4.2 - Back Orifice Parsing Remote Buffer Overflow
Exploit-DB: Snort 2.4.2 - Back Orifice Pre-Preprocessor Remote (4)
Exploit-DB: Snort Back Orifice - Pre-Preprocessor Remote (Metasploit)
Exploit-DB: Snort 2.4.2 - Back Orifice Pre-Preprocessor Remote (3)
Metasploit: Snort Back Orifice Pre-Preprocessor Buffer Overflow

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2005-3252?

snort: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2005-3252 being exploited?

CVE-2005-3252 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2005-3252 affect?

CVE-2005-3252 affects snort. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). Stack-based buffer overflow in the Back Orifice (BO) preprocessor for Snort before 2.4.3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted UDP packet.

How urgent is CVE-2005-3252?

Priority 56/100. High severity; EPSS top 1%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference

Software pages

Suricata and Snort vulnerabilities

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References

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