CVE-2017-13041 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE
The ICMPv6 parser in tcpdump before 4.9.2 has a buffer over-read in print-icmp6.c:icmp6_nodeinfo_print().
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/04/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-13041 represents a critical buffer over-read flaw within the ICMPv6 parsing functionality of tcpdump version 4.9.1 and earlier. This issue resides specifically within the print-icmp6.c source file at the icmp6_nodeinfo_print() function, which processes ICMPv6 node information messages. The flaw manifests when tcpdump encounters malformed or specially crafted ICMPv6 packets containing node information data that exceeds expected buffer boundaries during parsing operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and boundary checking within the ICMPv6 node information message parser. When tcpdump processes an ICMPv6 packet containing node information, the icmp6_nodeinfo_print() function fails to properly verify the length of incoming data before attempting to read from memory locations beyond the allocated buffer space. This over-read condition occurs because the parser assumes certain minimum data lengths or structure layouts that may not be present in malformed packets, leading to memory access violations and potential information disclosure.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to network monitoring and security operations that rely on tcpdump for packet analysis. An attacker could exploit this flaw by crafting malicious ICMPv6 node information packets that trigger the buffer over-read condition when processed by vulnerable tcpdump instances. The impact extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially enabling information disclosure attacks where adjacent memory contents become accessible through the over-read behavior. Network administrators using tcpdump for security monitoring, forensic analysis, or intrusion detection purposes face elevated risk of system compromise when systems remain vulnerable to this condition.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions in software implementations, and represents a classic example of improper input validation in network protocol parsers. From an attack framework perspective, this issue maps to ATT&CK technique T1046 for network service scanning and T1071 for application layer protocol usage, as it affects network monitoring tools that process ICMPv6 traffic. The exploitability of this vulnerability requires minimal network access and can be executed through standard network traffic manipulation techniques, making it particularly dangerous for environments where tcpdump is used for continuous network monitoring.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-13041 primarily involve upgrading to tcpdump version 4.9.2 or later, which includes proper bounds checking and input validation in the affected parser function. Network administrators should also implement additional monitoring for unusual ICMPv6 traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while considering network segmentation and access control measures to limit exposure. The fix implemented in tcpdump 4.9.2 addresses the root cause by enforcing proper buffer length validation before memory access operations, preventing the over-read condition that previously allowed unauthorized memory access patterns. Organizations should also consider implementing network intrusion detection systems with signature-based detection for known malicious ICMPv6 patterns to provide additional defense-in-depth measures against exploitation attempts.