Critical Buffer Overflow Vulnerability in tcpdump: CVE-2016-7974
Summary
ALPINE-CVE-2016-7974: The IP parser in tcpdump before 4.9.0 has a buffer overflow in print-ip.c, multiple functions. Affects tcpdump versions < 4.9.0-r0. Fixed in 4.9.0-r0. How to fix ↓
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Background
tcpdump is a powerful command-line packet analyzer tool used for network traffic monitoring and analysis. It allows users to capture and display the packets being transmitted or received over a network to which the computer is attached. This tool is widely used by network administrators and security professionals to troubleshoot network issues and analyze network security. However, tcpdump versions prior to 4.9.0 are vulnerable to a critical buffer overflow, which could lead to severe security risks.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability, identified as CVE-2016-7974, originates from a buffer overflow in the IP parser within tcpdump's print-ip.c file. This flaw allows an attacker to exploit the vulnerability by sending specially crafted packets, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution, system crashes, or unauthorized access to sensitive data. The severity of this vulnerability is underscored by its CVSS score of 9.8, indicating a critical risk level that necessitates immediate attention.
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 temporary workaround, users can limit the exposure of tcpdump by restricting its usage to trusted networks and avoiding the capture of untrusted or potentially malicious packets until the package is updated.
Conclusion
The CVE-2016-7974 vulnerability in tcpdump poses a significant risk to systems running affected versions. It is crucial for users to update to version 4.9.0 or later to protect against potential exploits. Utilizing tools like Vulert can further enhance security by providing real-time monitoring for vulnerabilities.
See every vulnerability recorded for tcpdump →
FAQ
CVE-2016-7974 is a critical buffer overflow vulnerability found in tcpdump versions prior to 4.9.0, which can lead to arbitrary code execution.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without requiring any signup.
Exploitation of this vulnerability can result in system crashes, unauthorized access to sensitive data, or arbitrary code execution.
You can update tcpdump to the patched version by running the command 'apk add tcpdump@4.9.0-r0' in your Alpine Linux terminal.
Yes, Vulert provides a service that monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in your software using just a manifest file like package-lock.json.
References
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for tcpdump.
