CVE-2016-7992 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE
The Classical IP over ATM parser in tcpdump before 4.9.0 has a buffer overflow in print-cip.c:cip_if_print().
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/16/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-7992 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Classical IP over ATM (CIP) parser functionality of tcpdump software version 4.9.0 and earlier. This issue specifically affects the print-cip.c module where the cip_if_print() function processes network packets. The buffer overflow occurs when tcpdump encounters malformed or specially crafted CIP packets during network traffic analysis, creating a potential avenue for arbitrary code execution or system compromise. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and boundary checking within the packet parsing logic, allowing attackers to overflow memory buffers and potentially overwrite adjacent memory locations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of packet data structures within the CIP protocol parser. When tcpdump processes ATM frames containing Classical IP data, the cip_if_print() function fails to properly validate the length of incoming packet data before copying it into fixed-size buffers. This classic buffer overflow condition arises from the use of unsafe string handling functions or direct memory copying operations without adequate bounds checking. The flaw manifests when the parser encounters packets with oversized or malformed CIP headers that exceed the allocated buffer space, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited by malicious actors. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-121, which describes unsafe buffer access conditions that result in stack-based or heap-based buffer overflows.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-7992 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it presents a significant security risk to network monitoring and analysis systems. When exploited, this vulnerability can enable remote code execution on systems running vulnerable versions of tcpdump, potentially allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access to network monitoring infrastructure. The attack surface is particularly concerning for network security professionals who rely on tcpdump for traffic analysis, as simply capturing network traffic with vulnerable software can expose systems to exploitation. This vulnerability affects the core functionality of tcpdump's packet analysis capabilities and can be leveraged by attackers to compromise network monitoring tools, potentially leading to complete system takeover or data exfiltration.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-7992 primarily focus on immediate software updates and operational security measures. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to tcpdump version 4.9.0 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the buffer overflow condition. System administrators should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of vulnerable systems, while monitoring for suspicious network traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory management in network security tools, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for execution through command and scripting interpreter. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network intrusion detection systems that can identify and block malformed CIP packets, while maintaining regular security assessments of network monitoring infrastructure to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future.