SSRF Vulnerability in libpcap: Remote Capture Source Exploitation Risk
Summary
ALPINE-CVE-2019-15164: rpcapd/daemon.c in libpcap before 1.9.1 allows SSRF because a URL may be provided as a capture source. Affects libpcap versions < 1.1.1-r0. Fixed in 1.1.1-r0. How to fix ↓
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Background
libpcap is a widely-used library for network packet capture, enabling applications to capture and analyze network traffic. It provides a portable framework for capturing network packets across various operating systems. The library is essential for network monitoring tools, intrusion detection systems, and other applications that require packet analysis. However, a vulnerability in libpcap prior to version 1.9.1 allows for Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) attacks, where an attacker can exploit the library's handling of URLs as capture sources.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-15164 exists in the rpcapd daemon of libpcap before version 1.9.1. It allows an attacker to provide a URL as a capture source, which can lead to SSRF. This means that the attacker could potentially make requests to internal services or resources that should not be accessible from the outside, leading to unauthorized access or data leakage. The technical aspect of this vulnerability lies in the improper validation of user input, which fails to restrict the capture source to legitimate network interfaces.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
1.1.1-r0
This is the first release that contains the fix.
sudo apk add --upgrade libpcapTip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
As a temporary workaround, it is advisable to restrict access to the rpcapd service or to disable it if it is not in use. This can be done by stopping the service with the command: 'service rpcapd stop'. Additionally, ensure that any user input for capture sources is strictly validated to prevent unauthorized URLs.
Conclusion
The SSRF vulnerability in libpcap (CVE-2019-15164) poses a significant risk to applications that utilize this library for network packet capture. It is crucial to update to the patched version to safeguard against potential exploitation. Users are encouraged to monitor their applications for vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert, which can provide real-time alerts without requiring code access.
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FAQ
CVE-2019-15164 is a vulnerability in libpcap that allows for Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) due to improper handling of URLs as capture sources.
You can check if your application is affected by using the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner, which analyzes your manifest file for vulnerabilities.
SSRF vulnerabilities can lead to unauthorized access to internal services, data leakage, and potential exploitation of other vulnerabilities within the network.
Yes, the vulnerability has been patched in libpcap version 1.9.1 and later. It is recommended to update to this version or higher.
If immediate updating is not possible, consider disabling the rpcapd service or implementing strict input validation to mitigate the risk.
References
Related vulnerabilities
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