CVE-2017-13022 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE
The IP parser in tcpdump before 4.9.2 has a buffer over-read in print-ip.c:ip_printroute().
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/05/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-13022 represents a critical buffer over-read flaw within the tcpdump network packet analysis tool affecting versions prior to 4.9.2. This issue resides specifically within the IP parser component of tcpdump, where the print-ip.c module contains a function named ip_printroute() that fails to properly validate input data boundaries. The buffer over-read occurs when tcpdump processes IP packets containing malformed or specially crafted routing information, leading to potential memory access violations that could be exploited by malicious actors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking within the ip_printroute() function in tcpdump's print-ip.c source file. When tcpdump encounters IP packets with unusual routing header structures or when processing packets that contain more routing information than anticipated, the function attempts to read memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. This improper memory access pattern creates opportunities for attackers to either cause denial of service through application crashes or potentially execute arbitrary code if the over-read leads to information disclosure or code execution vulnerabilities. The flaw operates at the network protocol parsing level, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered by simply capturing and processing malicious network traffic.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-13022 extends beyond simple application instability to potentially compromise network monitoring and security operations. Organizations relying on tcpdump for network traffic analysis, intrusion detection, and forensic investigations face significant risks when systems are running vulnerable versions of the tool. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability by crafting specially formatted IP packets designed to trigger the buffer over-read condition during packet processing, potentially leading to system crashes, unauthorized information disclosure, or even remote code execution depending on the system configuration and memory layout. This vulnerability directly affects tcpdump's core functionality as a network protocol analyzer, undermining its reliability as a critical security tool in network defense infrastructures.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of tcpdump installations to version 4.9.2 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the buffer over-read condition in the ip_printroute() function. System administrators should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure to potentially malicious traffic while applying the security update. Additional defensive measures include configuring tcpdump with appropriate command-line options to limit packet capture size and implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect and alert on anomalous packet patterns that might trigger the vulnerability. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and represents a typical example of how protocol parsing flaws can create security risks. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as exploitation might involve crafting malicious network traffic to trigger the vulnerability, though the primary risk lies in the denial of service and potential information disclosure aspects. Organizations should also consider implementing network intrusion prevention systems that can detect and block suspicious packet patterns that might exploit this buffer over-read condition during network traffic analysis operations.