CVE-2017-13039 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE
The ISAKMP parser in tcpdump before 4.9.2 has a buffer over-read in print-isakmp.c, several functions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/08/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-13039 represents a critical buffer over-read flaw within the ISAKMP parser component of tcpdump software versions prior to 4.9.2. This issue manifests specifically in the print-isakmp.c source file where multiple functions fail to properly validate input data length before attempting to read memory regions. The vulnerability arises from inadequate bounds checking mechanisms that allow an attacker to craft malicious ISAKMP packets that trigger memory access beyond allocated buffer boundaries. This type of flaw falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to information disclosure, system instability, or potential code execution depending on the memory layout and operating system behavior.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends significantly within network security monitoring environments where tcpdump serves as a critical packet analysis tool. When an attacker successfully exploits this buffer over-read condition, they can potentially cause tcpdump to read memory contents beyond intended boundaries, which may result in information disclosure of sensitive data from adjacent memory regions. This includes potentially exposing authentication credentials, session keys, or other confidential information that might reside in memory adjacent to the affected buffer. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where tcpdump is used for security monitoring, network forensics, or intrusion detection purposes, as it could provide attackers with access to sensitive operational data without requiring elevated privileges or direct system compromise.
Attackers can leverage this vulnerability by crafting specially formatted ISAKMP packets that, when processed by the vulnerable tcpdump version, trigger the buffer over-read condition. The exploitation typically occurs during packet capture and analysis operations where tcpdump processes incoming network traffic containing ISAKMP protocol data, commonly used in IPsec security protocols. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1046 which involves the use of network service scanning to identify active systems and services, and T1005 which covers data from local system storage. The affected tcpdump versions create a vector for attackers to gain insights into system memory structures and potentially discover additional vulnerabilities within the same memory space.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2017-13039 primarily involves upgrading to tcpdump version 4.9.2 or later, which includes proper bounds checking and input validation for ISAKMP packet parsing. System administrators should prioritize patching affected systems, particularly those running tcpdump in security-critical roles such as network monitoring, intrusion detection systems, or forensic analysis environments. Additional defensive measures include implementing network segmentation to limit exposure to potentially malicious traffic, deploying network access control lists to filter ISAKMP traffic where possible, and monitoring for unusual tcpdump behavior or memory access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing network traffic analysis tools that can detect malformed ISAKMP packets and alert on suspicious network activity patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts targeting this vulnerability. The fix implemented in version 4.9.2 demonstrates proper defensive programming practices that align with secure coding guidelines and helps prevent similar buffer over-read conditions in future implementations.