CVE-2017-16820: The csnmp_read_table function in snmp.c in the SNMP plugin in collectd before 5.6.3 is susceptible to a double

Q: How do I fix CVE-2017-16820?

collectd: upgrade to 5.6.3. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2017-16820 being exploited?

CVE-2017-16820 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-2017-16820 affect?

CVE-2017-16820 affects collectd. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). The csnmp_read_table function in snmp.c in the SNMP plugin in collectd before 5.6.3 is susceptible to a double free in a certain error case, which could lead to a crash (or potentially have other impact).

Q: How urgent is CVE-2017-16820?

Priority 62/100. Critical severity; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

This week

CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEUPGRADE

CVE-2017-16820 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting collectd. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The csnmp_read_table function in snmp.c in the SNMP plugin in collectd before 5.6.3 is susceptible to a double free in a certain error case, which could lead to a crash (or potentially have other impact).

Why this priority

Critical severity
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.8 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	3.6% (top 11%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-415
Published	2017-11-14
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: collectd

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2017-11-14 21:29 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 01:09 UTCUpdated Record last modified

collectd collectd UPGRADE

Affected: < 5.6.3

Fixed in: 5.6.3

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to 5.6.3 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade collectd

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade collectd

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

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-2017-16820?

collectd: upgrade to 5.6.3. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2017-16820 being exploited?

CVE-2017-16820 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-2017-16820 affect?

CVE-2017-16820 affects collectd. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). The csnmp_read_table function in snmp.c in the SNMP plugin in collectd before 5.6.3 is susceptible to a double free in a certain error case, which could lead to a crash (or potentially have other impact).

How urgent is CVE-2017-16820?

Priority 62/100. Critical severity; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

Related CVEs

CVE-2017-7401 HIGH 7.5 UPGRADE Incorrect interaction of the parse_packet() and parse_part_sign_sha256() functions in network.c in collectd 5.
CVE-2017-18240 MEDIUM 5.5 UPGRADE The Gentoo app-admin/collectd package before 5.7.2-r1 sets the ownership of PID file directory to the collectd

References

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