CVE-2024-2397 in tcpdump
Summary
by MITRE • 04/12/2024
Due to a bug in packet data buffers management, the PPP printer in tcpdump can enter an infinite loop when reading a crafted DLT_PPP_SERIAL .pcap savefile. This problem does not affect any tcpdump release, but it affected the git master branch from 2023-06-05 to 2024-03-21.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/08/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-2397 represents a critical buffer management flaw within tcpdump's packet capture utility that specifically impacts the handling of PPP printer functionality. This issue manifests when tcpdump processes crafted DLT_PPP_SERIAL format .pcap files through its PPP printer module, creating a condition where the application enters an infinite loop during packet data buffer processing. The vulnerability exists in the tcpdump codebase's handling of serialized packet data structures, particularly affecting how the application manages memory buffers when parsing PPP serial format captures. The problem demonstrates a classic buffer overread condition where insufficient bounds checking allows the application to continue processing data beyond allocated memory boundaries, resulting in unbounded execution cycles.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper buffer management within tcpdump's packet parsing routines, specifically within the PPP printer subsystem that handles DLT_PPP_SERIAL formatted packet captures. When processing malformed or crafted input files, the application fails to properly validate buffer boundaries during packet data extraction, leading to a scenario where the parser continuously loops through the same buffer positions without proper termination conditions. This type of flaw falls under CWE-129, which describes improper validation of buffer boundaries, and represents a form of resource exhaustion attack that can lead to denial of service conditions. The vulnerability's manifestation occurs during the parsing phase when tcpdump attempts to interpret packet headers and data structures specific to the PPP serial format, where the buffer management logic fails to account for certain edge cases in packet structure alignment.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-2397 extends beyond simple denial of service, as it represents a potential attack vector for resource exhaustion in environments where tcpdump processes untrusted packet capture files. Systems that rely on tcpdump for network analysis, packet inspection, or forensic analysis may become vulnerable to this infinite loop condition when processing maliciously crafted .pcap files, potentially leading to system resource exhaustion and service disruption. This vulnerability particularly affects network security tools, intrusion detection systems, and forensic analysis platforms that utilize tcpdump as a core component for packet processing. The timeframe of exploitation spans from June 5, 2023, to March 21, 2024, indicating a significant window during which affected systems could have been compromised, with the vulnerability being present in the git master branch but not in any official releases. The issue demonstrates how seemingly benign packet processing operations can become attack vectors when proper input validation and buffer management are absent.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-2397 focus primarily on updating to patched versions of tcpdump where the buffer management logic has been corrected to properly validate packet data boundaries. Organizations should ensure their tcpdump installations are updated to versions that address this specific buffer handling flaw, as the vulnerability is not present in released versions but was active in the development branch for over a year. System administrators should implement input validation measures for packet capture files, particularly when processing untrusted data, and consider implementing automated scanning for malformed packet files. The fix typically involves adding proper bounds checking in the PPP printer module to ensure that buffer access operations terminate correctly when reaching the end of packet data structures. Additionally, network security teams should monitor for potential exploitation attempts targeting this vulnerability, as it could be used in conjunction with other attack vectors to disrupt network monitoring and analysis systems. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1497 which describes virtualization and container abuse, as the resource exhaustion could potentially be leveraged to disrupt system services or create conditions for further exploitation in network security environments.