CVE-2018-17580 in tcpreplay
Summary
by MITRE
A heap-based buffer over-read exists in the function fast_edit_packet() in the file send_packets.c of tcpreplay v4.3. This can lead to Denial of Service (DoS) and potentially Information Exposure when the application attempts to process a crafted pcap file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/19/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-17580 represents a critical heap-based buffer over-read condition within the tcpreplay utility version 4.3, specifically within the fast_edit_packet() function located in send_packets.c. This flaw manifests when the application processes specially crafted pcap files, creating a scenario where memory access exceeds allocated boundaries. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and bounds checking mechanisms that fail to properly verify packet data lengths before processing. Such buffer over-read conditions typically occur when a program attempts to read memory locations beyond the allocated buffer space, potentially exposing sensitive data or causing application instability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of pcap packet structures that tcpreplay uses to replay network traffic. When the fast_edit_packet() function processes malformed packet data, it fails to validate the packet size against available buffer capacity, allowing an attacker to craft specific packet sequences that trigger memory access violations. This over-read behavior can result in the application reading adjacent memory locations, potentially exposing stack contents, heap metadata, or other sensitive information. The flaw specifically impacts the memory management operations within tcpreplay's packet processing pipeline, where packet data is manipulated and retransmitted to network interfaces.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for network security operations and system availability. The primary impact is Denial of Service, as the application becomes unstable and may crash when encountering crafted pcap files, disrupting network monitoring, testing, and replay operations. Additionally, the potential for Information Exposure poses serious confidentiality risks, as the buffer over-read may inadvertently reveal memory contents that could include authentication credentials, system pointers, or other sensitive operational data. This vulnerability affects environments where tcpreplay is used for network traffic analysis, security testing, or automated replay operations, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise security infrastructures.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-17580 should focus on immediate patching of tcpreplay installations to versions that address the buffer over-read condition. System administrators should implement strict input validation for pcap files used with tcpreplay, including verification of packet structures and size constraints before processing. Network security teams should monitor for suspicious pcap file usage and implement network segmentation to limit exposure. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds read conditions, and represents a typical example of how improper input validation can lead to memory safety issues. From an attack surface perspective, this vulnerability corresponds to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1566 for phishing with malicious attachments, as attackers could exploit this to disrupt network operations or extract sensitive information from compromised systems. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime protections and memory corruption detection mechanisms to provide additional defense layers against similar vulnerabilities.