CVE-2016-7928 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE
The IPComp parser in tcpdump before 4.9.0 has a buffer overflow in print-ipcomp.c:ipcomp_print().
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/16/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-7928 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the IPComp parser of tcpdump software version 4.9.0 and earlier. This issue resides specifically in the print-ipcomp.c source file at the ipcomp_print() function, where insufficient input validation and boundary checking allow maliciously crafted IPComp packets to trigger unauthorized memory access patterns. The vulnerability stems from the parser's failure to properly validate the length of incoming IPComp headers before attempting to process their contents, creating an exploitable condition that can lead to arbitrary code execution or system crashes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic buffer overflow scenario where the ipcomp_print() function processes IPComp protocol data without adequate bounds checking. When tcpdump encounters an IPComp packet with a malformed or excessively long header, the parser attempts to copy data into a fixed-size buffer without verifying that the source data fits within allocated memory boundaries. This flaw directly maps to CWE-121, which describes buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows data to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it occurs during packet parsing operations that are typically executed in privileged contexts, making successful exploitation potentially catastrophic for network monitoring systems that rely on tcpdump for traffic analysis.
Operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system crashes to encompass potential remote code execution capabilities that could allow attackers to compromise network monitoring infrastructure. Network administrators who deploy vulnerable versions of tcpdump in production environments face significant risk, as attackers could craft malicious IPComp packets that trigger the buffer overflow when processed by the tool. This presents a particular concern for security operations centers that depend on tcpdump for network traffic analysis, as exploitation could result in complete system compromise or denial of service conditions that disrupt critical monitoring functions. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers the execution of malicious code through network protocols, and T1490, which addresses denial of service attacks targeting network infrastructure components.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-7928 primarily focus on immediate software updates to tcpdump version 4.9.0 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the buffer overflow condition. System administrators should prioritize deployment of updated tcpdump packages across all network monitoring systems and ensure that all instances of the tool are running patched versions. Additional defensive measures include implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure to potentially malicious traffic, deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify and block malformed IPComp packets, and establishing monitoring procedures to detect unusual tcpdump behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing network traffic filtering rules that can drop IPComp packets at network boundaries, reducing the attack surface for this specific vulnerability while maintaining operational security posture against other potential threats.