# CVE-2016-7984: tcpdump buffer overflow in TFTP parser

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2016-7984-tcpdump-buffer-overflow-in-tftp-parser  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2017-01-28. Updated: 2026-05-13  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2016-7984 · Severity: critical · CVSS 9.8 · Published 2017-01-28

A vulnerability exists in tcpdump, a widely used tool for monitoring and analyzing network traffic. By sending specially crafted network packets, an attacker could cause the tool to crash or potentially execute unauthorized code on the system running the analysis. This could lead to a disruption of network monitoring operations or a full system compromise.

Technologies: [Tcpdump](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/tcpdump). Vendors: [Tcpdump](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/tcpdump).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2016-7984 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2016-7984 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2016-7984?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 9.8, published 28 January 2017.

**Which products and versions are affected?** tcpdump tcpdump before 4.9.0.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2016-7984?** A patch was published on 2017-01-29: Debian Security Advisory DSA-3775-1 issued Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2016-7984 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-2016-7984?** Check whether you run Tcpdump. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Technical details

A buffer overflow vulnerability exists in the TFTP (Trivial File Transfer Protocol) parser within tcpdump versions prior to 4.9.0. The flaw is located in the tftp_print() function in print-tftp.c and is triggered when the tool attempts to parse malformed TFTP packets. An unauthenticated remote attacker can exploit this by sending specially crafted packets to a network segment where tcpdump is performing live capture, or by providing a malicious pcap file for offline analysis. Successful exploitation can lead to a denial-of-service (application crash) or arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the user running tcpdump. The issue is resolved in version 4.9.0.

## Affected products

- tcpdump tcpdump before 4.9.0

## Timeline

- 2017-01-26: advisory: Debian security release announcement for version 4.9.0-1
- 2017-01-27: disclosed: NVD publication date
- 2017-01-29: patched: Debian Security Advisory DSA-3775-1 issued
- 2017-02-21: advisory: Gentoo Security Advisory GLSA 201702-30 issued

## References

- [http://www.debian.org/security/2017/dsa-3775](http://www.debian.org/security/2017/dsa-3775)
- [http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/95852](http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/95852)
- [http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1037755](http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1037755)
- [https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:1871](https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:1871)
- [https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201702-30](https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201702-30)
- [https://www.mail-archive.com/debian-bugs-dist%40lists.debian.org/msg1494526.html](https://www.mail-archive.com/debian-bugs-dist%40lists.debian.org/msg1494526.html)

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