CVE-2012-2152 in dhcpcd
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in the get_packet method in socket.c in dhcpcd 3.2.3 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a long packet.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/02/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-2152 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within the dhcpcd 3.2.3 DHCP client implementation. This vulnerability resides in the get_packet method located in the socket.c source file, where insufficient input validation permits maliciously crafted network packets to trigger memory corruption. The flaw specifically manifests when the DHCP client processes network packets that exceed predetermined buffer size limits, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers to compromise system integrity.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which categorizes stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent stack memory locations. The flaw operates by accepting network packets of arbitrary length without proper validation of packet size constraints, enabling an attacker to craft packets that exceed the allocated buffer space. When such oversized packets are processed by the get_packet method, the excessive data overflows into adjacent memory regions, potentially corrupting stack canaries, return addresses, or other critical program state information that ultimately leads to program termination or arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-2152 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to encompass potential remote code execution capabilities, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where DHCP clients are prevalent. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by sending specially crafted DHCP packets to a target system running dhcpcd 3.2.3, causing the client application to crash or potentially execute malicious code with the privileges of the dhcpcd process. This vulnerability affects systems that rely on dhcpcd for dynamic IP address assignment, including routers, servers, and workstations that automatically obtain network configuration parameters through DHCP protocols.
From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1059 for command and control through code injection, T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, and T1203 for exploitation for execution. The attack surface is particularly significant in environments where attackers can position themselves between a victim and a DHCP server, or when attackers have access to networks where they can inject malicious DHCP responses. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access or local privileges to leverage this flaw, making it particularly concerning for network infrastructure and enterprise environments. Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of dhcpcd to versions that address this buffer overflow condition, implementation of network segmentation to limit DHCP server access, and deployment of network monitoring solutions to detect anomalous DHCP packet patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing strict DHCP server authentication mechanisms and network access controls to reduce the attack surface and prevent unauthorized DHCP servers from operating within the network infrastructure.