CVE-2016-7983

The BOOTP parser in tcpdump before 4.9.0 has a buffer overflow in print-bootp.c:bootp_print()

published January 28, 2017

CVSS
—
EPSS
4%
Percentile
90.2
In the wild
Unconfirmed
What it is

⚠️ A misunderstood packet could trigger a buffer overflow in tcpdump's BOOTP parser! This vulnerability lurks, waiting for the right input to unravel. 💥 Think of it like a crowded restaurant where one incorrect order causes the entire kitchen to go haywire — a single misfiled packet can lead to chaos in the network traffic management system! If exploited, this buffer overflow could allow pesky attackers to crash tcpdump, potentially exposing sensitive information or disrupting network monitoring. It’s like turning off the lights during a critical dinner service — everything might grind to a halt!

Put simply

Think of it like a crowded restaurant where one incorrect order causes the entire kitchen to go haywire — a single misfiled packet can lead to chaos in the network traffic management system! This vulnerability exists in the BOOTP parser in tcpdump before version 4.9.0, where improperly handled packets can overflow the buffer, causing erratic behavior or crashes.

What to do

If exploited, this buffer overflow could allow pesky attackers to crash tcpdump, potentially exposing sensitive information or disrupting network monitoring. It’s like turning off the lights during a critical dinner service — everything might grind to a halt! To stay safe, upgrade to tcpdump version 4.9.0 or later as soon as possible. Regularly monitor your network for any signs of irregular activity, and ensure your systems are up to date! You’ve got this! A quick upgrade will have your systems humming along securely in no time. 🛡️

The record
Technical detail
CVSS
Not scored
CVSS v4.0
Not supplied
EPSS
0.03903 · 90.2th percentile
Published
2017-01-28T01:33Z
EPSS history
Timeline
  • 28 JAN 01:33Z
    The BOOTP parser in tcpdump before 4.9.0 has a buffer overflow in print-bootp.c:bootp_print()
    cvelistv5