CVE-2017-13013 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE
The ARP parser in tcpdump before 4.9.2 has a buffer over-read in print-arp.c, several functions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/05/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-13013 represents a critical buffer over-read flaw within the Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) parser of tcpdump software version 4.9.2 and earlier. This issue resides in the print-arp.c source file where multiple functions fail to properly validate input data length before processing ARP packet contents. The flaw occurs when tcpdump attempts to parse ARP packets received on the network, specifically during the interpretation of ARP header fields and associated data structures. The buffer over-read vulnerability arises from insufficient bounds checking mechanisms that allow maliciously crafted ARP packets to cause the parser to read beyond allocated memory boundaries. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to information disclosure, application crashes, or potentially arbitrary code execution depending on the memory layout and exploitation circumstances.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it creates potential attack vectors that could be exploited by network-based adversaries. When tcpdump processes malformed ARP packets containing oversized or malformed fields, the parser functions attempt to access memory locations that were not properly allocated for the expected data size. This behavior can result in unpredictable program termination, memory corruption, or data leakage from adjacent memory regions. The vulnerability affects network monitoring and security analysis tools that rely on tcpdump for packet capture and analysis, potentially compromising the integrity of network forensic investigations. Attackers could craft specific ARP packets designed to trigger this over-read condition, leading to service disruption of network monitoring systems or creating opportunities for more sophisticated attacks that leverage the memory corruption for privilege escalation or code injection.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1046 which involves network service scanning and reconnaissance activities that could be used to identify systems vulnerable to buffer over-read conditions. The flaw demonstrates the importance of input validation and bounds checking in network protocol parsers, particularly in security tools that process untrusted network data. Organizations using tcpdump for network traffic analysis should consider the potential for attackers to exploit this vulnerability to disrupt monitoring operations or gain unauthorized access to network analysis systems. The vulnerability also highlights the critical need for regular software updates and patch management programs, as the issue was resolved in tcpdump version 4.9.2 through enhanced input validation and proper memory boundary checks. Network security teams must ensure that all instances of tcpdump are updated to versions that contain the patched ARP parser implementation to prevent exploitation attempts and maintain the integrity of network monitoring infrastructure.
The technical implementation of the fix for CVE-2017-13013 involved strengthening the validation logic within the ARP packet parsing functions in print-arp.c. Developers implemented proper bounds checking mechanisms that verify the length of incoming ARP packet data before processing individual fields. This includes ensuring that the parser does not attempt to read beyond the actual size of the received packet buffer, thereby preventing the over-read condition. The patch also incorporated defensive programming practices that include explicit size validation for all ARP header fields and associated data structures. These improvements align with security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and other industry standards that emphasize the importance of input validation and memory safety in network security tools. The resolution demonstrates how seemingly simple parsing logic can introduce critical vulnerabilities when proper bounds checking is omitted, reinforcing the principle that security must be considered throughout the entire software development lifecycle.