CVE-2017-6429 in tcpreplay
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the tcpcapinfo utility in Tcpreplay before 4.2.0 Beta 1 allows remote attackers to have unspecified impact via a pcap file with an over-size packet.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/25/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-6429 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the tcpcapinfo utility component of the Tcpreplay software suite. This utility serves as a packet analysis tool designed to process and examine pcap files containing network traffic data. The vulnerability manifests when the tcpcapinfo utility processes malformed pcap files containing oversized packets that exceed the allocated buffer space. This buffer overflow condition occurs during the parsing and analysis phase of pcap file processing, where the utility fails to properly validate packet sizes before attempting to store them in fixed-size memory buffers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the tcpcapinfo utility. When processing a specially crafted pcap file containing packets larger than the expected buffer capacity, the utility performs memory operations that exceed the allocated buffer boundaries. This uncontrolled memory access creates opportunities for arbitrary code execution or application crash conditions. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, where the buffer overflow occurs in a stack-allocated buffer during packet processing operations. The flaw exists in the packet size handling logic that does not properly enforce size limits or perform bounds checking before copying packet data into internal storage structures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application instability to potentially enable remote code execution attacks. Remote attackers can leverage this flaw by crafting malicious pcap files containing oversized packets and delivering them to systems running vulnerable versions of Tcpreplay. The unspecified impact mentioned in the CVE description suggests that the consequences could include complete system compromise, denial of service, or data corruption depending on the execution environment and system configuration. This vulnerability is particularly concerning in network monitoring and security analysis environments where pcap files are routinely processed and analyzed, as it could be exploited to compromise security tools themselves.
The attack surface for this vulnerability encompasses any system running Tcpreplay versions prior to 4.2.0 Beta 1 that processes untrusted pcap files through the tcpcapinfo utility. This includes network security analysts, penetration testers, and automated security tools that utilize Tcpreplay for packet analysis. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as exploitation could enable attackers to execute arbitrary commands on affected systems. Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate software updates to version 4.2.0 Beta 1 or later, which includes proper input validation and buffer size checking mechanisms. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of vulnerable systems, while establishing robust pcap file validation procedures for any externally sourced network traffic data. Additionally, regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify and remediate similar buffer overflow vulnerabilities in other network analysis tools and security infrastructure components.