CVE-2017-13050 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE
The RPKI-Router parser in tcpdump before 4.9.2 has a buffer over-read in print-rpki-rtr.c:rpki_rtr_pdu_print().
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/04/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-13050 represents a critical buffer over-read flaw within the RPKI-Router protocol parser implementation in tcpdump versions prior to 4.9.2. This issue specifically affects the print-rpki-rtr.c module where the rpki_rtr_pdu_print() function processes RPKI-Router protocol data units. The RPKI-Router protocol serves as a critical component in Internet routing security, enabling routers to validate routing information against Resource Public Key Infrastructure records. When tcpdump encounters RPKI-Router protocol data during packet capture and analysis, it attempts to parse the protocol headers and payload structures to provide meaningful output to network administrators. The buffer over-read occurs when the parser does not properly validate the length of incoming RPKI-Router protocol data, allowing an attacker to craft malicious packets that cause the parser to read beyond allocated memory boundaries. This flaw falls under CWE-125, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds read vulnerabilities in software implementations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it can potentially enable remote code execution depending on the system configuration and memory layout. When a malicious actor sends specially crafted RPKI-Router protocol packets to a system running an affected version of tcpdump, the parser's improper boundary checking can result in reading adjacent memory locations. This behavior creates opportunities for information disclosure, where sensitive data from memory could be exposed through the packet analysis output. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in network monitoring environments where tcpdump is commonly deployed to analyze traffic streams, as attackers could exploit this flaw to gain unauthorized access to memory contents or potentially execute arbitrary code. The attack surface is broad since RPKI-Router protocol data can appear in various network traffic streams, making detection and mitigation challenging for network operators.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-13050 primarily focus on upgrading to tcpdump version 4.9.2 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the buffer over-read issue. Network administrators should prioritize updating their tcpdump installations across all systems where packet analysis is performed, particularly those monitoring RPKI-Router protocol traffic. Additional defensive measures include implementing network segmentation to limit exposure to potentially malicious RPKI-Router protocol data, deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious packet patterns, and configuring tcpdump to operate in restricted environments where only trusted traffic sources are analyzed. Organizations should also consider implementing network access controls that filter RPKI-Router protocol traffic at network boundaries, reducing the attack surface for this vulnerability. The fix implemented in tcpdump 4.9.2 typically involves adding proper bounds checking to the rpki_rtr_pdu_print() function, ensuring that all buffer access operations are validated against the actual data length before any memory reading occurs. This approach aligns with the principle of least privilege and defensive programming practices recommended in cybersecurity frameworks such as the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and MITRE ATT&CK framework's defense evasion techniques.