tcpdump up to 4.9.1 NFS Parser print-nfs.c interp_reply memory corruption
| CVSS Meta Temp Score | Current Exploit Price (≈) | CTI Interest Score |
|---|---|---|
| 7.9 | $0-$5k | 0.00 |
Summary
A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in tcpdump up to 4.9.1. Impacted is the function interp_reply of the file print-nfs.c of the component NFS Parser. The manipulation leads to memory corruption.
This vulnerability is referenced as CVE-2017-12898. Remote exploitation of the attack is possible. No exploit is available.
It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.
Details
A vulnerability was found in tcpdump up to 4.9.1 (Packet Analyzer Software). It has been rated as critical. This issue affects the function interp_reply of the file print-nfs.c of the component NFS Parser. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a memory corruption vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-119. The product performs operations on a memory buffer, but it can read from or write to a memory location that is outside of the intended boundary of the buffer. Impacted is confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:
The NFS parser in tcpdump before 4.9.2 has a buffer over-read in print-nfs.c:interp_reply().
The bug was discovered 09/11/2017. The weakness was published 09/14/2017 (Website). It is possible to read the advisory at securitytracker.com. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2017-12898 since 08/17/2017. The attack may be initiated remotely. No form of authentication is needed for a successful exploitation. It demands that the victim is doing some kind of user interaction. Technical details of the vulnerability are known, but there is no available exploit.
The vulnerability was handled as a non-public zero-day exploit for at least 3 days. During that time the estimated underground price was around $0-$5k. The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 103257 (Debian DLA-1097-1 : tcpdump security update), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment. It is assigned to the family Debian Local Security Checks and running in the context l. The commercial vulnerability scanner Qualys is able to test this issue with plugin 176147 (Debian Security Update for tcpdump (DSA 3971-1)).
Upgrading to version 4.9.2 eliminates this vulnerability. A possible mitigation has been published 1 days after the disclosure of the vulnerability.
The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at Tenable (103257). Similar entries are available at VDB-21822, VDB-21823, VDB-104406 and VDB-104407. Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Product
Type
Name
Version
License
Website
- Product: https://www.tcpdump.org/
CPE 2.3
CPE 2.2
CVSSv4
VulDB Vector: 🔍VulDB Reliability: 🔍
CVSSv3
VulDB Meta Base Score: 8.0VulDB Meta Temp Score: 7.9
VulDB Base Score: 6.3
VulDB Temp Score: 6.0
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍
NVD Base Score: 9.8
NVD Vector: 🔍
CVSSv2
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| Vector | Complexity | Authentication | Confidentiality | Integrity | Availability |
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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍
NVD Base Score: 🔍
Exploiting
Class: Memory corruptionCWE: CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍
Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes
Availability: 🔍
Status: Not defined
EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍
Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍
| 0-Day | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock |
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Nessus ID: 103257
Nessus Name: Debian DLA-1097-1 : tcpdump security update
Nessus File: 🔍
Nessus Risk: 🔍
Nessus Family: 🔍
Nessus Context: 🔍
OpenVAS ID: 53377
OpenVAS Name: Debian Security Advisory DSA 3971-1 (tcpdump - security update)
OpenVAS File: 🔍
OpenVAS Family: 🔍
Qualys ID: 🔍
Qualys Name: 🔍
Threat Intelligence
Interest: 🔍Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍
Countermeasures
Recommended: UpgradeStatus: 🔍
Reaction Time: 🔍
0-Day Time: 🔍
Exposure Time: 🔍
Upgrade: tcpdump 4.9.2
Patch: github.com
Timeline
08/17/2017 🔍09/11/2017 🔍
09/14/2017 🔍
09/14/2017 🔍
09/14/2017 🔍
09/15/2017 🔍
09/18/2017 🔍
12/04/2025 🔍
Sources
Product: tcpdump.orgAdvisory: 19d25dd8781620cd41bf178a5e2e27fc1cf242d0⛔
Status: Confirmed
Confirmation: 🔍
CVE: CVE-2017-12898 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2017-12898
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-106595
OVAL: 🔍
SecurityTracker: 1039307
See also: 🔍
Entry
Created: 09/14/2017 17:14Updated: 12/04/2025 21:00
Changes: 09/14/2017 17:14 (78), 11/16/2019 07:40 (2), 01/12/2021 15:16 (2), 12/28/2022 15:00 (4), 12/04/2025 21:00 (17)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
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