CVE-2017-13052 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE
The CFM parser in tcpdump before 4.9.2 has a buffer over-read in print-cfm.c:cfm_print().
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/09/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-13052 represents a critical buffer over-read flaw within the Common Filter Markup (CFM) parser component of tcpdump network analysis tool. This issue exists in versions prior to 4.9.2 and specifically affects the print-cfm.c source file where the cfm_print() function processes CFM protocol data. The flaw arises when tcpdump encounters malformed or specially crafted CFM frames during network packet analysis, creating a scenario where the parser attempts to read memory beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of memory safety issues and is classified as a buffer over-read according to common weakness enumeration standards.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the CFM protocol parsing logic where insufficient bounds checking is performed on user-supplied packet data. When tcpdump processes network traffic containing CFM frames, the cfm_print() function accesses memory locations that extend beyond the intended buffer limits without proper validation. This over-read condition can lead to information disclosure, as the parser may inadvertently expose sensitive data from adjacent memory locations, or potentially cause application instability through memory corruption. The flaw demonstrates a classic example of improper input validation where the parser assumes valid data structure layouts without adequate boundary verification.
Operationally, this vulnerability poses significant risks to network monitoring systems that rely on tcpdump for packet analysis and network traffic inspection. Attackers could exploit this weakness by crafting malicious CFM frames that trigger the buffer over-read condition, potentially leading to denial of service scenarios where tcpdump crashes or becomes unresponsive. The information disclosure aspect could expose sensitive memory contents including cryptographic keys, session data, or other confidential information stored in adjacent memory regions. Security professionals and network administrators using affected tcpdump versions face elevated risk during network forensic analysis, packet capture operations, or any scenario involving CFM protocol traffic processing, as the vulnerability could be leveraged to compromise the integrity and confidentiality of network monitoring operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-13052 primarily involve upgrading to tcpdump version 4.9.2 or later, which includes patches addressing the buffer over-read condition in the CFM parser. System administrators should also implement network segmentation and monitoring to detect anomalous CFM traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additional protective measures include deploying intrusion detection systems with signature-based detection capabilities for CFM protocol anomalies and ensuring comprehensive patch management processes are in place. The vulnerability aligns with attack patterns documented in the attack tree model where buffer over-read conditions are categorized as common exploitation vectors for achieving privilege escalation or information disclosure in network analysis tools, making proper remediation essential for maintaining network security posture.