CVE-2017-12899

The DECnet parser in tcpdump before 4.9.2 has a buffer over-read in print-decnet.c:decnet_print()

Critical · published September 14, 2017

CVSS v3.1
9.8
EPSS
3%
Percentile
88.3
In the wild
Unconfirmed
What it is

🔥 A sneaky buffer over-read in tcpdump's DECnet parser can leave your system vulnerable, even if it’s not currently exploited! Think of your network traffic as a busy train station. This vulnerability is like having a train operator who doesn't properly check the manifest, potentially leaving behind crucial items and risking misunderstandings about what's on board. 🚂 With a CVSS score of 9.8, the consequences of this vulnerability could be absolutely devastating. An attacker could exploit this flaw to read sensitive information from memory, putting your entire system's integrity at risk. If unpatched, this might lead to data leaks or even more severe unauthorized access.

Put simply

Think of your network traffic as a busy train station. This vulnerability is like having a train operator who doesn't properly check the manifest, potentially leaving behind crucial items and risking misunderstandings about what's on board. 🚂 This vulnerability arises from a buffer over-read in the DECnet parser in tcpdump before version 4.9.2. It allows an attacker to manipulate the input data in such a way that it reads beyond the allocated memory buffer, leading to potential information disclosure.

What to do

With a CVSS score of 9.8, the consequences of this vulnerability could be absolutely devastating. An attacker could exploit this flaw to read sensitive information from memory, putting your entire system's integrity at risk. If unpatched, this might lead to data leaks or even more severe unauthorized access. To mitigate this critical vulnerability, upgrade tcpdump to version 4.9.2 or later immediately. Conduct a review of your network monitoring systems to ensure they are not running vulnerable versions. Regular updates will keep you ahead of potential threats! You've got this! By patching tcpdump, you'll bolster your network security and keep those trains running smoothly. 🛡️

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
0.03284 · 88.3th percentile
Published
2017-09-14T06:00Z
EPSS history
Timeline
  • 14 SEP 06:00Z
    The DECnet parser in tcpdump before 4.9.2 has a buffer over-read in print-decnet.c:decnet_print()
    cvelistv5