CVE-2017-5484 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE
The ATM parser in tcpdump before 4.9.0 has a buffer overflow in print-atm.c:sig_print().
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/16/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5484 represents a critical buffer overflow condition within the atm parser component of tcpdump software version 4.9.0 and earlier. This issue specifically affects the print-atm.c file where the sig_print() function processes ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) protocol data. The buffer overflow occurs when tcpdump attempts to parse ATM signaling information, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to exploit the software through crafted network traffic. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of stack-based buffer overflow, where insufficient bounds checking allows data to overwrite adjacent memory locations. This flaw is particularly concerning because tcpdump is widely used for network protocol analysis and packet capture across various operating systems and network monitoring environments. The impact extends beyond simple software crashes, as it can potentially enable arbitrary code execution when the vulnerable software processes maliciously crafted ATM protocol packets.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to craft specific ATM protocol packets that trigger the buffer overflow condition within the sig_print() function. When tcpdump processes these malformed packets, the insufficient input validation causes the program to write data beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, potentially overwriting critical program memory including return addresses and function pointers. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script injection, as successful exploitation could allow attackers to execute arbitrary commands on systems running vulnerable versions of tcpdump. The flaw demonstrates poor input sanitization practices and inadequate bounds checking mechanisms that are fundamental requirements for secure software development. Network administrators and security professionals who rely on tcpdump for network monitoring and forensic analysis face significant risk exposure, as the vulnerability can be triggered through normal network traffic processing without requiring special privileges or authentication.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-5484 extends to numerous network monitoring and security operations environments where tcpdump serves as a critical tool for protocol analysis. Organizations using vulnerable versions of tcpdump for network traffic inspection, intrusion detection, or security auditing may experience system instability, application crashes, or potential remote code execution. The vulnerability affects systems running various Unix-like operating systems including Linux, BSD variants, and macOS where tcpdump is commonly installed. Security incidents could result in service disruption, data loss, or unauthorized access to network monitoring systems, particularly in environments where tcpdump is used for network forensics or security incident response. The widespread deployment of tcpdump across enterprise networks, cloud environments, and security tools amplifies the potential impact. Organizations must consider the vulnerability's implications for network security operations, as compromised monitoring tools could provide attackers with undetected access to critical network information and communication patterns.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-5484 focus primarily on upgrading to tcpdump version 4.9.0 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the buffer overflow condition. System administrators should prioritize patch management procedures to ensure all network monitoring systems are updated with the latest secure versions. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls can help limit the potential impact of exploitation by restricting access to systems running tcpdump to authorized personnel only. Implementing network intrusion detection systems with signature-based detection for known malicious ATM traffic patterns provides an additional layer of defense. Organizations should also consider deploying network monitoring tools that do not rely on vulnerable versions of tcpdump, or implementing network access control lists to filter out suspicious ATM protocol traffic. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include checks for outdated tcpdump installations to prevent exploitation of this and similar vulnerabilities. The remediation process should also involve reviewing network monitoring configurations to ensure proper input validation and error handling in all protocol parsing components.