CVE-2004-0055 in tcpdump
Summary
by MITRE
The print_attr_string function in print-radius.c for tcpdump 3.8.1 and earlier allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (segmentation fault) via a RADIUS attribute with a large length value.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/15/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-0055 represents a classic buffer overflow condition within the tcpdump network analysis tool version 3.8.1 and earlier. This flaw exists in the print_radius_string function located in the print-radius.c source file, where the software fails to properly validate input parameters before processing RADIUS protocol attributes. The issue arises when tcpdump encounters a RADIUS attribute containing an unusually large length field, which triggers improper memory handling during packet parsing operations. This specific weakness enables malicious actors to craft specially formatted RADIUS packets that, when processed by the vulnerable tcpdump version, result in segmentation faults and subsequent application crashes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking within the radius attribute processing logic. When tcpdump encounters a RADIUS attribute with an oversized length value, the print_radius_string function attempts to allocate memory or access memory regions based on this malformed input without proper validation. This behavior directly aligns with CWE-129, which describes improper validation of length parameters, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations. The flaw operates at the application layer and specifically targets the network packet analysis functionality, where tcpdump processes and displays network traffic for network administrators and security professionals. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited remotely through network traffic interception, making it a significant concern for network monitoring systems that rely on tcpdump for packet analysis.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a reliable denial of service condition that can be exploited against systems running vulnerable tcpdump versions. Network administrators who depend on tcpdump for monitoring network traffic and troubleshooting connectivity issues face the risk of service interruption when malicious RADIUS packets are processed. The segmentation fault that occurs during packet processing effectively terminates the tcpdump application, requiring manual intervention to restart the monitoring process. This vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where tcpdump is used for continuous network monitoring, such as in security operations centers, network infrastructure monitoring, or penetration testing environments where the tool's reliability is paramount. The exploit requires minimal sophistication and can be executed by any attacker with network access to the target system, making it a preferred target for adversaries seeking to disrupt network monitoring capabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-0055 involve immediate patching of tcpdump installations to versions 3.9.0 and later, which contain the necessary fixes for proper length validation in RADIUS attribute processing. System administrators should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure to potentially malicious RADIUS traffic, particularly in environments where tcpdump is actively monitoring network traffic. Network intrusion detection systems can be configured to identify and block RADIUS packets with suspicious length values, providing an additional layer of defense. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring tools that can automatically detect application crashes and restart services, reducing the impact of successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in network security tools and highlights the need for regular security updates to address known vulnerabilities in widely deployed network analysis software. This flaw also reinforces the ATT&CK framework concept of privilege escalation through application-level vulnerabilities, where an attacker can leverage a denial of service condition to disrupt critical network monitoring infrastructure, potentially creating opportunities for further exploitation.