CVE-2017-13037 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE
The IP parser in tcpdump before 4.9.2 has a buffer over-read in print-ip.c:ip_printts().
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/05/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-13037 represents a critical buffer over-read flaw within the tcpdump network packet analysis tool. This issue exists in the IP parser component specifically within the print-ip.c source file at the ip_printts() function, affecting versions prior to 4.9.2. The tcpdump utility serves as a fundamental network protocol analyzer used extensively by security professionals, network administrators, and forensic analysts for capturing and displaying network traffic. The vulnerability arises from inadequate bounds checking when processing IP packet headers, creating a scenario where the application reads beyond the allocated buffer boundaries when parsing certain network packets.
The technical implementation of this flaw occurs during the processing of IP timestamp options within network packets. When tcpdump encounters an IP packet containing timestamp information, the ip_printts() function attempts to parse this data without sufficient validation of the packet boundaries. This allows an attacker to craft malicious network packets with malformed timestamp options that cause the parser to read memory locations beyond the intended buffer limits. The over-read behavior can result in information disclosure, application crashes, or potentially more severe consequences depending on the memory layout and execution context. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 weakness category, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to unpredictable behavior and security implications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application instability, as it can compromise the integrity of network monitoring operations that depend on tcpdump for packet analysis. Network security teams who rely on tcpdump for intrusion detection, forensic analysis, and network troubleshooting may experience unexpected application termination when processing maliciously crafted packets. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where tcpdump is used in automated monitoring systems or security appliances, as it could be exploited to cause denial of service attacks against network monitoring infrastructure. Additionally, the information disclosure aspect of the over-read could potentially expose sensitive memory contents to attackers, creating opportunities for further exploitation. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1046 for network service scanning and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage, as attackers could leverage the instability to execute additional malicious activities.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to tcpdump version 4.9.2 or later, which includes proper bounds checking and validation of IP packet headers. System administrators should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure to potentially malicious traffic. Additional protective measures include deploying network intrusion detection systems that can identify and block malformed packets before they reach tcpdump processing, implementing proper input validation at network boundaries, and regularly updating all network monitoring tools to their latest secure versions. Organizations should also consider implementing network traffic filtering rules to prevent the propagation of packets that could trigger this vulnerability, particularly in environments where tcpdump is deployed for continuous monitoring without proper input sanitization.