CVE-2017-13000 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE
The IEEE 802.15.4 parser in tcpdump before 4.9.2 has a buffer over-read in print-802_15_4.c:ieee802_15_4_if_print().
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/05/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-13000 represents a critical buffer over-read flaw within the IEEE 802.15.4 protocol parser implementation in tcpdump versions prior to 4.9.2. This issue specifically affects the print-802_15_4.c source file where the ieee802_15_4_if_print() function processes wireless frame data. The vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and boundary checking when parsing IEEE 802.15.4 frames, which are commonly used in low-rate wireless personal area networks such as Zigbee and other mesh networking protocols. The flaw allows an attacker to craft maliciously formatted wireless packets that, when processed by the affected tcpdump version, can trigger memory access violations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of frame header structures within the IEEE 802.15.4 protocol specification. When tcpdump encounters a packet with malformed or unexpected frame parameters, the parser attempts to read beyond the allocated buffer boundaries in memory, potentially accessing uninitialized or protected memory regions. This over-read condition occurs because the function does not adequately verify that the expected frame data length matches the actual available buffer space before performing memory operations. The issue is categorized under CWE-125 as an out-of-bounds read vulnerability, which falls within the broader category of memory safety issues that can lead to unpredictable behavior and potential exploitation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple parsing failures, as it can enable attackers to cause denial-of-service conditions or potentially execute arbitrary code on systems running vulnerable tcpdump versions. When an attacker crafts specific IEEE 802.15.4 frames with malformed headers or unexpected length values, the over-read condition can trigger segmentation faults or memory corruption that may result in application crashes. In some scenarios, particularly in network monitoring environments where tcpdump is deployed to analyze wireless traffic, this vulnerability could be exploited to disrupt network analysis operations or potentially provide a foothold for more sophisticated attacks. The vulnerability affects wireless network analysis tools that rely on tcpdump for packet inspection, including security monitoring systems, network forensics tools, and wireless network troubleshooting utilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-13000 primarily involve upgrading to tcpdump version 4.9.2 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the buffer over-read condition. System administrators should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure to potentially malicious wireless traffic, particularly in environments where wireless network monitoring is critical. Additional defensive measures include deploying network intrusion detection systems that can identify and block malformed IEEE 802.15.4 frames, implementing proper input validation at network boundaries, and conducting regular vulnerability assessments of network monitoring infrastructure. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the technique of "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" when the over-read leads to code execution, and "Execution through System Modification" when the vulnerability results in denial-of-service conditions that disrupt legitimate network operations. Organizations should also consider implementing network traffic filtering rules that can prevent the propagation of malformed wireless frames through their network infrastructure, reducing the attack surface for this and similar vulnerabilities.