Buffer Overflow Vulnerability in tcpdump
Summary
CVE-2016-7931: The MPLS parser in tcpdump before 4.9.0 has a buffer overflow in print-mpls.c:mpls_print(). Affects tcpdump across 2 version ranges.
< 4.9.0-r0
< af974494da71f2dae8eeac40e1611db5d6a82668
Fixed in 4.9.0-r0. How to fix ↓
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Background
tcpdump is a widely used packet analyzer tool that allows users to capture and analyze network traffic. It is commonly used for troubleshooting network issues, monitoring network activity, and performing network security analysis. However, a buffer overflow vulnerability (CVE-2016-7931) has been discovered in tcpdump's MPLS parser. This vulnerability can be exploited by an attacker to execute arbitrary code or crash the tcpdump process.
Vulnerability Detail
The buffer overflow vulnerability in tcpdump's MPLS parser (print-mpls.c:mpls_print()) allows an attacker to overflow a buffer and overwrite adjacent memory. By crafting a malicious MPLS packet, an attacker can trigger this vulnerability and potentially execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the tcpdump process. This can lead to a complete compromise of the system or denial of service.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
4.9.0-r0
This is the first release that contains the fix.
sudo apk add --upgrade tcpdumpTip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
There is no known workaround for this vulnerability. It is crucial to update tcpdump to the fixed version as soon as possible.
Conclusion
The buffer overflow vulnerability in tcpdump's MPLS parser can have severe consequences, including arbitrary code execution or denial of service. It is crucial to update tcpdump to the fixed version (4.9.0 or later) to mitigate this vulnerability. For further support on vulnerability remediation, you can reach out to DevNack.com.
See every vulnerability recorded for tcpdump →
FAQ
tcpdump is a packet analyzer tool used for capturing and analyzing network traffic.
This vulnerability can allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code or crash the tcpdump process, potentially leading to a complete compromise of the system or denial of service.
To fix this vulnerability, update tcpdump to version 4.9.0 or later.
No, there is no known workaround for this vulnerability. Updating tcpdump to the fixed version is the recommended solution.
For more information about this vulnerability, you can refer to the CVE-2016-7931 entry in the National Vulnerability Database (NVD) or contact the tcpdump development team.
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