CVE-2005-1280 in tcpdump
Summary
by MITRE
The rsvp_print function in tcpdump 3.9.1 and earlier allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (infinite loop) via a crafted RSVP packet of length 4.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/19/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-1280 resides within the tcpdump network packet analysis tool version 3.9.1 and earlier, specifically within the rsvp_print function responsible for parsing Resource Reservation Protocol packets. This flaw represents a classic denial of service vulnerability that can be exploited by remote attackers to disrupt network monitoring operations. The issue manifests when tcpdump encounters a specially crafted RSVP packet with a length field set to exactly 4 bytes, triggering an infinite loop in the packet parsing logic. The Resource Reservation Protocol is commonly used in network environments to reserve bandwidth and ensure quality of service for specific traffic flows, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for network infrastructure monitoring.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the rsvp_print function, which fails to properly handle edge cases in packet length specifications. When tcpdump processes an RSVP packet with a length of 4 bytes, the parsing routine enters an infinite loop due to improper loop termination conditions in the packet processing code. This occurs because the function assumes certain minimum packet sizes and does not account for the possibility of minimal valid packets that could still be processed correctly. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes buffer overflow conditions, and more specifically with CWE-129, representing improper validation of array index or buffer length. The flaw demonstrates poor defensive programming practices where the software does not validate input parameters against expected ranges before processing, creating an exploitable condition that leads to resource exhaustion.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can severely compromise network monitoring capabilities in production environments. When exploited, the infinite loop causes tcpdump to consume excessive CPU resources and potentially hang the monitoring process, effectively rendering network traffic analysis unavailable during the attack. This is particularly problematic for network administrators who rely on continuous monitoring for security incident response and network troubleshooting. The vulnerability affects systems where tcpdump is used for network surveillance, making it a significant concern for enterprise networks, security operations centers, and any environment where network traffic analysis is critical. According to ATT&CK framework domain ST0501 - Network Service Discovery, this vulnerability could be leveraged by adversaries to disrupt network monitoring capabilities and potentially mask other malicious activities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-1280 primarily involve upgrading to tcpdump version 3.9.2 or later, where the rsvp_print function has been corrected to properly handle packets with minimal length specifications. System administrators should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure to untrusted network traffic that could contain malicious RSVP packets. Additional defensive measures include deploying intrusion detection systems that can detect anomalous packet patterns and implementing rate limiting on network monitoring processes to prevent resource exhaustion attacks. The fix implemented in tcpdump 3.9.2 demonstrates proper input validation techniques that should be adopted in similar network analysis tools, ensuring that all packet length parameters are validated against expected ranges before processing. Organizations should also consider maintaining updated network security toolsets and implementing regular vulnerability assessments to identify and remediate similar issues across their network infrastructure.