CVE-2018-16229 in tcpdump
Summary
by MITRE
The DCCP parser in tcpdump before 4.9.3 has a buffer over-read in print-dccp.c:dccp_print_option().
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/03/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-16229 represents a critical buffer over-read flaw within the Distributed Computing Control Protocol parser of tcpdump software version 4.9.2 and earlier. This issue manifests specifically within the print-dccp.c source file at the dccp_print_option() function, where improper input validation leads to memory access violations that can potentially be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability arises from insufficient bounds checking when processing DCCP packet options, creating a scenario where the parser attempts to read beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. This type of flaw falls under the category of CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions that can result in information disclosure, system crashes, or potentially arbitrary code execution depending on the exploitation context.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple network packet analysis capabilities, as tcpdump serves as a fundamental network diagnostic tool used extensively across security operations, network monitoring, and forensic analysis environments. When an attacker crafts malicious DCCP packets containing oversized or malformed options, the vulnerable tcpdump version will attempt to process these inputs without proper boundary validation, leading to unpredictable behavior that can compromise the integrity of network monitoring operations. The buffer over-read condition creates a potential attack surface where adversaries could leverage this flaw to cause denial-of-service scenarios or potentially extract sensitive information from memory locations adjacent to the affected buffer. This vulnerability directly impacts the reliability of network security tools that depend on tcpdump for packet inspection and analysis, particularly in environments where DCCP traffic is present or where the tool might be processing untrusted network data.
From a defensive perspective, the mitigation strategy involves immediate upgrading to tcpdump version 4.9.3 or later, which includes proper bounds checking and input validation mechanisms within the dccp_print_option() function. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and monitoring to detect unusual DCCP traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while maintaining comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all network analysis tools remain current with security updates. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust input validation in network protocol parsers and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for execution through network protocols, highlighting how protocol parsing flaws can create persistent security risks in network monitoring infrastructure. Security teams should also consider implementing additional network traffic filtering rules to prevent potentially malicious DCCP packets from reaching systems running vulnerable tcpdump versions, particularly in environments where DCCP traffic is not required for legitimate operations.