CVE-2025-9384 in tcpreplay
Summary
by MITRE • 08/24/2025
A vulnerability was detected in appneta tcpreplay up to 4.5.1. Impacted is the function tcpedit_post_args of the file /src/tcpedit/parse_args.c. The manipulation results in null pointer dereference. The attack is only possible with local access. The exploit is now public and may be used. Upgrading to version 4.5.2-beta2 is recommended to address this issue. Upgrading the affected component is advised. The vendor explains, that he was "[a]ble to reproduce in 6fcbf03 but not in 4.5.2-beta2".
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/07/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-9384 represents a critical null pointer dereference flaw within the appneta tcpreplay network packet manipulation tool. This issue resides in the tcpedit_post_args function located within the /src/tcpedit/parse_args.c source file, affecting versions up to 4.5.1. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and handling within the argument parsing mechanism that processes network packet replay configurations. Attackers exploiting this weakness can trigger a segmentation fault or application crash when the software attempts to dereference a null pointer during normal operation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires local system access, making it a local privilege escalation vector rather than a remote attack surface. However, the public availability of exploit code significantly increases the risk profile as any local user with access to the system can potentially trigger the denial of service condition. The vulnerability manifests when the tcpedit_post_args function fails to properly validate pointer references before attempting to access memory locations, leading to a program termination due to memory access violations. This type of flaw falls under CWE-476, which specifically addresses null pointer dereference conditions in software applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2025-9384 extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can compromise the integrity of network monitoring and testing operations that rely on tcpreplay functionality. Organizations using this tool for network traffic analysis, packet replay testing, or security research may experience unexpected application crashes that could interrupt critical network operations or testing cycles. The vulnerability particularly affects environments where tcpreplay is used in automated testing frameworks or continuous integration pipelines, where a single crash could result in failed test runs or interrupted monitoring processes. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1490, which covers denial of service through resource exhaustion or application crashes.
The vendor has confirmed the vulnerability exists in commit 6fcbf03 but has been resolved in version 4.5.2-beta2, indicating a proper fix has been implemented. The recommended mitigation strategy involves immediate upgrading to version 4.5.2-beta2 or later, which includes proper pointer validation and null check implementations. Organizations should conduct thorough testing of the updated version in their environments to ensure compatibility with existing network monitoring workflows. Additionally, system administrators should review access controls to limit local system access where possible, as this vulnerability requires local privileges to exploit. The fix demonstrates proper defensive programming practices by implementing robust input validation and error handling mechanisms that prevent null pointer dereference conditions. This vulnerability highlights the importance of thorough code review processes and the application of secure coding standards to prevent memory safety issues in network utility applications.