tcpdump up to 4.9.1 Zephyr Parser print-zephyr.c memory corruption
| CVSS Meta Temp Score | Current Exploit Price (≈) | CTI Interest Score |
|---|---|---|
| 7.9 | $0-$5k | 0.00 |
Summary
A vulnerability has been found in tcpdump up to 4.9.1 and classified as critical. This impacts an unknown function of the file print-zephyr.c of the component Zephyr Parser. Performing a manipulation results in memory corruption. This vulnerability is cataloged as CVE-2017-12902. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. There is no exploit available. The affected component should be upgraded.
Details
A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in tcpdump up to 4.9.1 (Packet Analyzer Software). This affects an unknown part of the file print-zephyr.c of the component Zephyr Parser. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a memory corruption vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as 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. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:
The Zephyr parser in tcpdump before 4.9.2 has a buffer over-read in print-zephyr.c, several functions.
The bug was discovered 09/11/2017. The weakness was shared 09/14/2017 (Website). It is possible to read the advisory at securitytracker.com. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2017-12902 since 08/17/2017. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. No form of authentication is needed for 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). The entries VDB-21822, VDB-21823, VDB-104406 and VDB-104407 are related to this item. Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source 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: 🔍
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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: 6ec0c6fa63412c7a07a5bcb790a529c3563b4173⛔
Status: Confirmed
Confirmation: 🔍
CVE: CVE-2017-12902 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2017-12902
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-106599
OVAL: 🔍
SecurityTracker: 1039307
See also: 🔍
Entry
Created: 09/14/2017 17:16Updated: 12/04/2025 21:00
Changes: 09/14/2017 17:16 (77), 11/16/2019 08:09 (2), 01/12/2021 15:39 (2), 12/28/2022 15:13 (4), 12/04/2025 21:00 (17)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103
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