CVE-2002-1350 in tcpdump
Summary
by MITRE
The BGP decoding routines in tcpdump 3.6.x before 3.7 do not properly copy data, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/29/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1350 resides within the border gateway protocol BGP decoding functionality of tcpdump version 3.6.x prior to 3.7. This issue manifests in the improper handling of data copying operations during packet analysis, specifically affecting the processing of BGP messages that tcpdump encounters while capturing network traffic. The flaw represents a classic buffer manipulation error that can be exploited to disrupt the normal operation of network monitoring tools, potentially compromising network visibility and security operations.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate data copying mechanisms within tcpdump's BGP packet parsing routines. When tcpdump processes BGP messages, it fails to properly manage memory allocation and data transfer operations, leading to potential buffer overflows or memory corruption scenarios. This improper data handling creates conditions where specially crafted BGP packets can trigger unexpected behavior in the tcpdump application. The vulnerability operates at the application layer, specifically targeting the packet analysis and decoding components that process routing information exchanged between network devices. According to CWE classification, this corresponds to CWE-121, which deals with stack-based buffer overflow conditions, though the exact manifestation occurs during data copying rather than direct buffer manipulation.
The operational impact of CVE-2002-1350 extends beyond simple application instability, as it can be leveraged to achieve remote denial of service against network monitoring systems. When an attacker crafts malicious BGP packets designed to exploit this flaw, they can cause tcpdump to crash or behave unpredictably, effectively removing network visibility capabilities from systems relying on this tool for traffic analysis. This disruption can have cascading effects on network security operations, particularly in environments where tcpdump serves as a primary monitoring mechanism for detecting network anomalies or security incidents. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1498, which involves network denial of service attacks that can compromise system availability and operational effectiveness.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability center on immediate software updates to tcpdump version 3.7 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the improper data copying routines. Network administrators should also implement additional monitoring and alerting mechanisms to detect unusual BGP traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should consider deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify malformed BGP packets and automatically block or quarantine suspicious traffic. Organizations relying on tcpdump for network monitoring should establish redundant monitoring solutions to maintain visibility even if primary tools become unavailable due to such exploits. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory management in network security tools, highlighting how seemingly minor implementation flaws can have significant operational consequences in security infrastructure.