CVE-2017-13025 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE
The IPv6 mobility parser in tcpdump before 4.9.2 has a buffer over-read in print-mobility.c:mobility_opt_print().
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/05/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-13025 represents a critical buffer over-read flaw within the IPv6 mobility parser functionality of tcpdump version 4.9.2 and earlier. This issue specifically manifests in the print-mobility.c source file at the mobility_opt_print() function, where improper input validation allows maliciously crafted IPv6 mobility headers to trigger memory access violations. The flaw occurs when tcpdump processes network packets containing IPv6 mobility options, which are used to support mobile IP functionality in IPv6 networks. These mobility options contain various sub-options that define routing and tunneling behaviors for mobile nodes, making them integral to IPv6 network operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking within the mobility_opt_print() function, which processes mobility header options without sufficient validation of the option length fields. When tcpdump encounters a mobility header with malformed or unexpectedly large option lengths, it attempts to read beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, potentially accessing invalid memory locations or data from adjacent memory regions. This over-read condition can result in information disclosure, application crashes, or in some scenarios, arbitrary code execution depending on the memory layout and the nature of the adjacent data. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the packet parsing level where tcpdump processes network traffic, making it exploitable through network-based attacks without requiring local system access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to encompass potential security implications for network monitoring and forensic analysis systems that rely on tcpdump for packet capture and inspection. Network administrators and security professionals who deploy tcpdump for network traffic analysis, intrusion detection, or security auditing may find their monitoring systems compromised when processing maliciously crafted IPv6 mobility packets. The vulnerability affects systems where tcpdump is used in network monitoring contexts, particularly in environments where mobile IPv6 is implemented or where network traffic may contain unexpected mobility headers. This issue represents a significant concern for security operations centers and network monitoring infrastructure that depend on tcpdump's packet parsing capabilities for threat detection and incident response activities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-13025 primarily involve upgrading to tcpdump version 4.9.2 or later, which includes fixed buffer validation mechanisms in the mobility_opt_print() function. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and filtering policies to reduce exposure to potentially malicious IPv6 mobility traffic, particularly in environments where mobile IPv6 is not actively required. Network administrators should consider deploying additional monitoring and intrusion detection systems that can detect and alert on anomalous IPv6 mobility packet patterns. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and may be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol tunneling, particularly when considering the potential for exploitation through malformed network traffic. Regular security assessments and network traffic analysis should include verification of tcpdump versions and monitoring for unusual packet processing behaviors that might indicate exploitation attempts.