CVE-2023-31982 in Sngrep
Summary
by MITRE • 05/09/2023
Sngrep v1.6.0 was discovered to contain a heap buffer overflow via the function capture_packet_reasm_ip at /src/capture.c.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/30/2025
The heap buffer overflow vulnerability in sngrep version 1.6.0 represents a critical security flaw that can be exploited to compromise system integrity and potentially execute arbitrary code. This vulnerability specifically affects the capture_packet_reasm_ip function within the /src/capture.c source file, indicating a memory management issue that occurs during packet reassembly operations. The flaw arises when the application processes network traffic and attempts to handle fragmented IP packets, creating conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows maliciously crafted packets to overwrite adjacent heap memory regions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation during network packet processing. When sngrep encounters fragmented IP packets, the capture_packet_reasm_ip function fails to adequately verify buffer boundaries before copying or processing packet data. This deficiency creates a scenario where an attacker can craft specially formatted network packets that trigger the buffer overflow condition, potentially leading to memory corruption that could be leveraged for privilege escalation or denial of service attacks. The heap-based nature of the vulnerability means that the overflow occurs within dynamically allocated memory regions, making exploitation more complex but also more dangerous as it can affect application stability and security boundaries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as heap buffer overflows can provide attackers with opportunities to execute arbitrary code within the context of the sngrep process. This represents a significant risk for systems that rely on sngrep for network monitoring and analysis, particularly in environments where the tool operates with elevated privileges. The vulnerability affects any system running sngrep version 1.6.0 that processes network traffic, making it potentially exploitable in network monitoring, intrusion detection, and security analysis scenarios. Attackers could leverage this flaw to gain unauthorized access to systems, manipulate network traffic analysis results, or disrupt critical network monitoring operations.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of sngrep to version 1.6.1 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the buffer overflow condition. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure to potentially malicious network traffic that could trigger the vulnerability. Additionally, monitoring for unusual network traffic patterns and implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify malformed packet sequences may help detect exploitation attempts. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and could be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage, as exploitation may involve executing malicious code through compromised processes. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper input validation and memory management practices in network security tools, particularly those handling raw packet data where malformed inputs can have severe consequences.