CVE-2017-12897

The ISO CLNS parser in tcpdump before 4.9.2 has a buffer over-read in print-isoclns.c:isoclns_print()

Critical · published September 14, 2017

CVSS v3.1
9.8
EPSS
3%
Percentile
84.8
In the wild
Unconfirmed
What it is

🔥 A sneaky buffer over-read in tcpdump could expose sensitive data without a trace! Think of it like a restaurant that serves a dish without checking its ingredients — every spoonful could hold a nasty surprise for the unsuspecting diner. In this case, tcpdump's ISO CLNS parser is spilling the beans on data it shouldn't, exposing your network to potential risks. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to read sensitive information by simply sending specially crafted packets. The consequences could be absolutely devastating, leading to data leaks that compromise network security and user privacy. This is a serious risk that could leave your network wide open!

Put simply

Think of it like a restaurant that serves a dish without checking its ingredients — every spoonful could hold a nasty surprise for the unsuspecting diner. In this case, tcpdump's ISO CLNS parser is spilling the beans on data it shouldn't, exposing your network to potential risks. This buffer over-read in tcpdump’s ISO CLNS parser occurs when it mishandles certain inputs, allowing attackers to read memory locations that should be off-limits, similar to peeking behind the kitchen doors in a restaurant.

What to do

An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to read sensitive information by simply sending specially crafted packets. The consequences could be absolutely devastating, leading to data leaks that compromise network security and user privacy. This is a serious risk that could leave your network wide open! To protect yourself, immediately upgrade tcpdump to version 4.9.2 or higher. It's crucial to regularly audit your network tools and configurations to minimize these risks. Don't leave your digital kitchen unguarded! You’ve got this! Follow these steps, and you’ll have tcpdump secured in no time! 🛡️

The record
Technical detail
CVSS v3.1
9.8 · CRITICAL
Vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CVSS v4.0
Not supplied
EPSS
0.02527 · 84.8th percentile
Published
2017-09-14T06:00Z
EPSS history
Timeline
  • 14 SEP 06:00Z
    The ISO CLNS parser in tcpdump before 4.9.2 has a buffer over-read in print-isoclns.c:isoclns_print()
    cvelistv5