CVE-2007-3798 in tcpdump
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in print-bgp.c in the BGP dissector in tcpdump 3.9.6 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted TLVs in a BGP packet, related to an unchecked return value.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/07/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-3798 represents a critical integer overflow condition within the BGP dissector component of tcpdump version 3.9.6 and earlier. This flaw exists in the print-bgp.c file which processes Border Gateway Protocol packets for network traffic analysis. The vulnerability specifically manifests when processing Type-Length-Value (TLV) structures within BGP packets, where an unchecked return value leads to improper memory allocation calculations. The integer overflow occurs when the dissector attempts to allocate memory based on a length field that has been manipulated by an attacker, resulting in insufficient buffer space for legitimate data processing. This fundamental flaw in input validation and memory management creates a pathway for remote code execution through carefully crafted BGP packets that exploit the arithmetic overflow condition.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the absence of proper bounds checking on the length parameter within TLV structures. When tcpdump processes incoming BGP packets, it reads the length field from TLV headers without adequate validation to ensure that the value remains within acceptable limits for memory allocation. The unchecked return value aspect indicates that the function responsible for calculating memory requirements does not properly verify whether the computed value exceeds the maximum representable integer value for the system architecture. This allows an attacker to send a malicious BGP packet containing a TLV with an oversized length field that, when processed, causes the integer to wrap around to a small positive value or zero, leading to insufficient memory allocation for subsequent operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-3798 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it enables remote code execution capabilities that can be leveraged by attackers to gain unauthorized control over systems running vulnerable versions of tcpdump. Network infrastructure devices that rely on tcpdump for traffic monitoring and analysis become particularly vulnerable, as they may process BGP packets from external peers without adequate protection mechanisms. The attack vector requires only that an attacker be able to establish communication with a target system running the vulnerable tcpdump version and send specifically crafted BGP packets containing malicious TLV structures. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-190, which describes integer overflow conditions, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script injection. The exploitation can result in complete system compromise, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the tcpdump process, potentially leading to network-wide infiltration and data exfiltration.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-3798 require immediate patching of tcpdump installations to versions that address the integer overflow vulnerability in the BGP dissector. System administrators should prioritize updating to tcpdump 3.9.7 or later, which contains the necessary code modifications to properly validate TLV length fields and prevent integer overflow conditions. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit exposure of systems running tcpdump to untrusted BGP peers, particularly in environments where BGP is used for network monitoring. Additional protective measures include implementing BGP filtering policies, deploying network intrusion detection systems with signature-based detection for malicious BGP traffic patterns, and configuring tcpdump to run with minimal privileges to reduce potential impact of successful exploitation. Organizations should also consider alternative network monitoring tools that have been audited for similar vulnerabilities and maintain regular vulnerability assessment programs to identify and remediate outdated network analysis software across their infrastructure.