CVE-2015-2155 in tcpdump
Summary
by MITRE
The force printer in tcpdump before 4.7.2 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/16/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-2155 affects the tcpdump network packet analyzer utility version 4.7.2 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to compromise system integrity and availability. This issue resides within the force printer functionality of tcpdump, which is responsible for processing and displaying network packet data in various formats. The vulnerability manifests through unspecified vectors that allow attackers to manipulate the printer's behavior in ways that can lead to system instability and potential code execution.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate input validation and memory handling within the force printer component of tcpdump. When processing network packets, the utility relies on various printer functions to format and display captured data. The vulnerability occurs when the force printer encounters malformed or specially crafted packet data that triggers unexpected behavior in the underlying memory management or parsing routines. This weakness creates opportunities for attackers to craft specific network traffic that, when processed by tcpdump, causes the application to crash or potentially execute unintended code. The unspecified nature of the attack vectors suggests multiple pathways through which the vulnerability can be exploited, making it particularly concerning for security professionals who must defend against diverse threat landscapes.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-2155 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially enable remote code execution on systems running vulnerable versions of tcpdump. When exploited, this vulnerability can cause network monitoring systems to crash, disrupting network visibility and security operations. In environments where tcpdump is used for intrusion detection, network forensics, or security monitoring, such a compromise can severely impact incident response capabilities and overall network security posture. The vulnerability particularly affects systems that rely on tcpdump for packet analysis and network traffic inspection, including security operations centers, network monitoring infrastructure, and forensic analysis environments where continuous packet capture is essential.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-2155 focus primarily on updating to tcpdump version 4.7.2 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the force printer vulnerability. System administrators should prioritize patching all network monitoring and security tools that utilize tcpdump, particularly those deployed in production environments where the risk of exploitation is highest. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of systems running vulnerable versions. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of how improper input validation can lead to severe security consequences. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect and alert on suspicious packet patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, as outlined in the attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the network traffic analysis category. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include verification of tcpdump versions and related network analysis tools to ensure comprehensive protection against similar threats.