CVE-2018-17582 in tcpreplay
Summary
by MITRE
tcpreplay v4.3.0 contains a heap-based buffer over-read. The get_next_packet() function in the send_packets.c file uses the memcpy() function unsafely to copy sequences from the source buffer pktdata to the destination (*prev_packet)->pktdata. This will result in a Denial of Service (DoS) and potentially Information Exposure when the application attempts to process a file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/19/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-17582 represents a critical heap-based buffer over-read flaw within tcpreplay version 4.3.0, a widely used network packet replayer tool for Linux and Unix systems. This issue arises from improper memory handling during packet processing operations, specifically affecting the application's ability to safely manage network packet data streams. The vulnerability manifests when tcpreplay attempts to process packet capture files, making it particularly dangerous for network security professionals who rely on this tool for traffic analysis and replay operations.
The technical root cause lies within the get_next_packet() function located in the send_packets.c source file, where the memcpy() function is employed without adequate bounds checking to transfer data from the source buffer pktdata to the destination buffer pointed to by (*prev_packet)->pktdata. This unsafe memory copying operation occurs when the application processes network packet data, creating a scenario where the destination buffer may not accommodate the full extent of data being copied from the source. The flaw is classified as a heap-based buffer over-read because the memory allocation occurs on the heap and the over-read happens when the application attempts to read beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. This condition typically results in undefined behavior and can be exploited to cause system instability or information disclosure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, as the heap-based buffer over-read creates potential for information exposure through memory corruption. When tcpreplay encounters malformed packet data during file processing, the unsafe memory operations can cause the application to read data from adjacent memory locations, potentially exposing sensitive information such as cryptographic keys, authentication credentials, or other confidential data stored in memory. This vulnerability affects the reliability and security of network analysis operations, particularly in environments where tcpreplay is used for security testing, network monitoring, or forensic analysis. The Denial of Service aspect means that legitimate users may be unable to process packet capture files, while the information exposure risk could compromise system security in scenarios where sensitive data might be inadvertently disclosed through memory corruption.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of tcpreplay installations to versions that address the buffer over-read issue through proper bounds checking and memory validation. System administrators should implement input validation measures to ensure packet capture files are properly formatted and do not contain maliciously crafted data that could trigger the vulnerability. The fix typically involves adding proper bounds checking before memcpy() operations to ensure that the destination buffer can accommodate the data being copied, preventing the heap-based buffer over-read condition. Security teams should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure to potentially malicious packet capture files, particularly in environments where tcpreplay is used for security testing or network analysis operations. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and represents a classic example of how improper memory management can create security risks in network security tools. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under privilege escalation and denial of service techniques, as it can be leveraged to disrupt network operations or potentially extract sensitive information from memory. Organizations should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools to identify systems running vulnerable versions of tcpreplay and ensure timely remediation across their network infrastructure.