CVE-2014-9140 in tcpdump
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the ppp_hdlc function in print-ppp.c in tcpdump 4.6.2 and earlier allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) cia a crafted PPP packet.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/27/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-9140 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the tcpdump network packet analysis tool, specifically affecting versions 4.6.2 and earlier. This issue resides in the ppp_hdlc function located within the print-ppp.c source file, which is responsible for processing Point-to-Point Protocol packets. The flaw manifests when tcpdump encounters a specially crafted PPP packet that exceeds the allocated buffer boundaries during packet parsing operations. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-121, which encompasses classic buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. This particular implementation flaw demonstrates a failure in proper input validation and memory management within the packet processing pipeline of tcpdump.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, as remote attackers can exploit the buffer overflow to cause tcpdump to crash and terminate unexpectedly. When a maliciously crafted PPP packet is processed by the vulnerable tcpdump version, the ppp_hdlc function fails to properly validate the packet length against the allocated buffer space, resulting in memory corruption that ultimately leads to a segmentation fault or similar crash condition. This behavior directly maps to the ATT&CK technique T1499.001, which involves network denial of service attacks through exploitation of software vulnerabilities. The vulnerability creates an attractive target for attackers seeking to disrupt network monitoring operations, as tcpdump is widely deployed in network security environments for packet capture and analysis. The crash condition effectively renders the monitoring system temporarily non-functional, potentially creating windows of opportunity for other attacks or providing cover for malicious activities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-9140 primarily focus on immediate version upgrades to tcpdump 4.7.0 or later, where the buffer overflow has been addressed through proper bounds checking and memory allocation practices. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of tcpdump instances to untrusted networks, particularly in environments where the tool processes packets from external sources. Network administrators should also consider deploying intrusion detection systems that can detect and block malformed PPP packets before they reach vulnerable tcpdump instances. The fix implemented in newer versions typically involves validating packet length parameters against buffer boundaries before copying data, thereby preventing the overflow condition. Additionally, implementing proper input sanitization and employing defensive programming practices such as using safe string handling functions and bounds checking mechanisms can help prevent similar vulnerabilities in other network analysis tools. Organizations should conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify and remediate similar buffer overflow conditions in their network monitoring infrastructure, as the underlying root cause involves fundamental memory safety issues that can affect numerous network security applications.