Executive brief
tcpdump is a widely used tool for monitoring and analyzing network traffic. A vulnerability in its BOOTP protocol parser allows an attacker to send specially crafted network packets that can cause the tool to crash or potentially execute unauthorized code. This could lead to a disruption of network monitoring operations or a compromise of the system running the tool.
Technical details
A buffer overflow vulnerability exists in tcpdump's BOOTP (Bootstrap Protocol) parser, specifically within the bootp_print() function in print-bootp.c. The flaw is triggered when tcpdump processes specially crafted BOOTP packets, either during live capture or when reading a malicious pcap file. Because the parser fails to properly validate the bounds of the input data, a remote attacker can cause a heap-based buffer overflow. This can result in a denial of service (application crash) or potentially the execution of arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running tcpdump. The vulnerability is addressed in version 4.9.0.
Affected products
- tcpdump tcpdump before 4.9.0
Timeline
- 2017-01-26: disclosed: Initial disclosure in Debian bug tracking system
- 2017-01-27: advisory: NVD publication date
- 2017-01-29: patched: Debian security update released