tcpdump up to 4.9.1 IPv6 Parser print-ip6.c ip6_print memory corruption
| CVSS Meta Temp Score | Current Exploit Price (≈) | CTI Interest Score |
|---|---|---|
| 7.9 | $0-$5k | 0.00 |
Summary
A vulnerability was found in tcpdump up to 4.9.1 and classified as critical. Affected is the function ip6_print of the file print-ip6.c of the component IPv6 Parser. Executing a manipulation can lead to memory corruption.
This vulnerability is registered as CVE-2017-12985. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. No exploit is available.
It is suggested to upgrade the affected component.
Details
A vulnerability has been found in tcpdump up to 4.9.1 (Packet Analyzer Software) and classified as critical. This vulnerability affects the function ip6_print of the file print-ip6.c of the component IPv6 Parser. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a memory corruption vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is 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. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:
The IPv6 parser in tcpdump before 4.9.2 has a buffer over-read in print-ip6.c:ip6_print().
The bug was discovered 09/11/2017. The weakness was published 09/14/2017 (Website). The advisory is shared for download at securitytracker.com. This vulnerability was named CVE-2017-12985 since 08/21/2017. The attack can be initiated remotely. No form of authentication is required for a successful exploitation. Successful exploitation requires user interaction by the victim. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available.
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. VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
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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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
08/21/2017 🔍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: 66df248b49095c261138b5a5e34d341a6bf9ac7f⛔
Status: Confirmed
Confirmation: 🔍
CVE: CVE-2017-12985 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2017-12985
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-106600
OVAL: 🔍
SecurityTracker: 1039307
See also: 🔍
Entry
Created: 09/14/2017 17:16Updated: 12/04/2025 23:27
Changes: 09/14/2017 17:16 (78), 11/16/2019 08:13 (2), 01/12/2021 15:43 (2), 12/28/2022 15:19 (4), 12/04/2025 23:27 (17)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103
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