Buffer Overflow Vulnerability in tcpdump
Summary
CVE-2016-7932: The PIM parser in tcpdump before 4.9.0 has a buffer overflow in print-pim.c:pimv2_check_checksum(). Affects tcpdump across 2 version ranges.
< 4.9.0-r0
< af974494da71f2dae8eeac40e1611db5d6a82668
Fixed in 4.9.0-r0. How to fix ↓
Check if this vulnerability affects your application
Upload a manifest or SBOM and we'll show whether you're affected, plus every other risky package in the same scan.
No signup required · Results in about 60 seconds
Background
tcpdump is a widely used command-line packet analyzer tool for network troubleshooting and analysis. It allows users to capture and analyze network traffic in real-time. The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-7932 affects tcpdump versions prior to 4.9.0. This vulnerability specifically resides in the PIM parser of tcpdump, more specifically in the print-pim.c:pimv2_check_checksum() function.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability is a buffer overflow issue that occurs when processing PIM packets. An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by sending a specially crafted PIM packet to a vulnerable tcpdump instance. Upon receiving the malicious packet, tcpdump's PIM parser fails to properly validate the packet's checksum, leading to a buffer overflow. This can result in arbitrary code execution or a denial of service (DoS) condition. The severity of this vulnerability is rated as critical with a CVSS score of 9.8.
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
As a workaround, users can consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit the exposure of tcpdump instances to potentially malicious packets. Additionally, it is advisable to monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity and promptly investigate any anomalies.
Conclusion
The buffer overflow vulnerability in tcpdump (CVE-2016-7932) poses a significant risk to systems running vulnerable versions. It is crucial to update tcpdump to version 4.9.0 or later to mitigate this vulnerability. Implementing network segmentation and access controls can provide an additional layer of protection. For further assistance or guidance on vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
See every vulnerability recorded for tcpdump →
FAQ
tcpdump is a command-line packet analyzer tool used for network troubleshooting and analysis. It allows users to capture and analyze network traffic in real-time.
This vulnerability can lead to arbitrary code execution or a denial of service (DoS) condition if exploited successfully.
To fix this vulnerability, update tcpdump to version 4.9.0 or later. Restart any running tcpdump instances after the update.
Implementing network segmentation and access controls can help limit the exposure of tcpdump instances to potentially malicious packets.
For more information, you can refer to the official CVE-2016-7932 documentation or reach out to the tcpdump community for support.
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for tcpdump.
