CVE-2017-5482 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE
The Q.933 parser in tcpdump before 4.9.0 has a buffer overflow in print-fr.c:q933_print(), a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-8575.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/16/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5482 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Q.933 protocol parser of tcpdump software versions prior to 4.9.0. This issue specifically manifests in the print-fr.c source file at the q933_print() function, where inadequate input validation and memory boundary checking create exploitable conditions that can be leveraged by malicious actors to compromise systems. The Q.933 protocol is commonly used in telecommunications environments for signaling and control messages within ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) networks, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for network infrastructure monitoring tools that process such traffic.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow stems from improper handling of protocol data structures within tcpdump's packet analysis framework. When the q933_print() function processes incoming Q.933 protocol frames, it fails to adequately validate the length of incoming data before copying it into fixed-size buffers. This classic buffer overflow condition allows an attacker to craft malicious Q.933 protocol packets that exceed the allocated buffer space, potentially overwriting adjacent memory locations and corrupting program execution flow. The vulnerability operates at the application layer of network packet analysis tools, specifically targeting the packet parsing and display functionality that tcpdump employs for network traffic inspection.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial-of-service conditions to potentially enable arbitrary code execution on systems running vulnerable versions of tcpdump. Attackers can exploit this flaw by transmitting specially crafted Q.933 protocol packets to a system that is actively monitoring network traffic with the vulnerable tcpdump version. The consequences include potential system compromise, unauthorized access to network monitoring data, and disruption of critical network infrastructure monitoring operations. Given that tcpdump is widely deployed across enterprise networks for security monitoring and incident response activities, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to network security operations centers and security teams relying on these tools for traffic analysis.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script injection. The flaw represents a classic software security weakness where input validation fails to prevent buffer overflows, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate program execution through carefully crafted inputs. Organizations using tcpdump for network security monitoring should prioritize immediate patching of this vulnerability to prevent potential exploitation and maintain the integrity of their network traffic analysis capabilities. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution risk underscores the importance of timely security updates in maintaining network infrastructure security posture.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate deployment of tcpdump version 4.9.0 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the buffer overflow condition. Network administrators should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of systems running tcpdump to untrusted network traffic. Additionally, monitoring for anomalous Q.933 protocol traffic patterns and implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify potential exploitation attempts will help detect and respond to attacks targeting this vulnerability. Regular security assessments of network monitoring tools and maintaining updated vulnerability databases will help prevent similar issues from affecting network security infrastructure in the future.