CVE-2019-8377 in tcpreplay
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in Tcpreplay 4.3.1. A NULL pointer dereference occurred in the function get_ipv6_l4proto() located at get.c. This can be triggered by sending a crafted pcap file to the tcpreplay-edit binary. It allows an attacker to cause a Denial of Service (Segmentation fault) or possibly have unspecified other impact.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/10/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2019-8377 represents a critical NULL pointer dereference flaw within Tcpreplay version 4.3.1 that fundamentally compromises the application's stability and reliability. This issue exists in the get_ipv6_l4proto() function located within the get.c source file, making it a direct consequence of improper input validation and error handling mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically affects the tcpreplay-edit binary, which is commonly used for replaying network traffic captured in pcap format, making it a potential target for network-based attack vectors that exploit traffic analysis and manipulation tools.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a maliciously crafted pcap file is fed into the tcpreplay-edit binary, triggering the NULL pointer dereference in the IPv6 layer four protocol detection function. This flaw stems from inadequate null checking before pointer dereferencing operations, allowing attackers to manipulate the program flow and potentially cause segmentation faults that result in application crashes. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-476, which specifically addresses NULL pointer dereference issues in software applications, and represents a classic example of how insufficient input validation can lead to denial of service conditions in network utilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, as it can potentially enable more sophisticated attack vectors that leverage the application's instability for further exploitation. When the segmentation fault occurs, it not only disrupts legitimate network traffic replay operations but also creates opportunities for attackers to potentially execute arbitrary code or manipulate the application's memory state. The unspecified other impacts mentioned in the vulnerability description suggest that the NULL pointer dereference might open pathways for additional security issues such as information disclosure or privilege escalation depending on the execution context and system configuration. This vulnerability particularly affects network security professionals and organizations that rely on tcpreplay for traffic analysis, packet injection testing, and network protocol validation activities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-8377 should prioritize immediate patching of Tcpreplay to version 4.3.2 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the NULL pointer dereference issue. System administrators should implement strict input validation measures when processing pcap files, including signature verification and file format checking before feeding data into tcpreplay-edit. Network security teams should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous behavior patterns associated with segmentation faults and application crashes. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust error handling in network utilities and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service attacks, emphasizing the need for defensive measures in traffic analysis tools that handle untrusted network data inputs. Organizations should also consider sandboxing or containerized execution environments for tcpreplay operations to limit the potential impact of similar vulnerabilities in the future.