CVE-2016-7986

The GeoNetworking parser in tcpdump before 4.9.0 has a buffer overflow in print-geonet.c, multiple functions

published January 28, 2017

CVSS
โ€”
EPSS
3%
Percentile
87.9
In the wild
Unconfirmed
What it is

โš ๏ธ There's a sneaky buffer overflow lurking in tcpdump's GeoNetworking parser! ๐Ÿšจ If you're running a version before 4.9.0, it's time to pay attention! Think of this as a crowded library where a librarian accidentally mislabels a stack of books. If someone pulls too hard on one, it could topple the entire shelf, spilling all sorts of chaos everywhere! ๐Ÿ“š This buffer overflow could lead to unexpected behavior or crashes in the tcpdump service, making it a surprisingly sneaky vulnerability. While exploitation isn't confirmed, the potential for disruption is there, so it's wise to act before it becomes an issue.

Put simply

Think of this as a crowded library where a librarian accidentally mislabels a stack of books. If someone pulls too hard on one, it could topple the entire shelf, spilling all sorts of chaos everywhere! ๐Ÿ“š The vulnerability in tcpdump occurs in the GeoNetworking parser within the file print-geonet.c, where inadequate boundary checks allow for a buffer overflow. This means that an attacker could potentially manipulate the input in a way that overflows the buffer and disrupts normal operation.

What to do

This buffer overflow could lead to unexpected behavior or crashes in the tcpdump service, making it a surprisingly sneaky vulnerability. While exploitation isn't confirmed, the potential for disruption is there, so it's wise to act before it becomes an issue. To secure your systems, update tcpdump to version 4.9.0 or later immediately. Regularly audit your network tools to ensure they are running the latest versions to avoid security pitfalls. You've got this! With a quick update, you can keep your systems safe and sound. ๐Ÿ›ก๏ธ

The record
Technical detail
CVSS
Not scored
CVSS v4.0
Not supplied
EPSS
0.03172 ยท 87.9th percentile
Published
2017-01-28T01:33Z
EPSS history
Timeline
  • 28 JAN 01:33Z
    The GeoNetworking parser in tcpdump before 4.9.0 has a buffer overflow in print-geonet.c, multiple functions
    cvelistv5