CVE-2017-12997

The LLDP parser in tcpdump before 4.9.2 could enter an infinite loop due to a bug in print-lldp.c:lldp_private_8021_print()

Critical · published September 14, 2017

CVSS v3.1
9.8
EPSS
2%
Percentile
84.3
In the wild
Unconfirmed
What it is

🔥 A bug in tcpdump's LLDP parser can trap your system in an infinite loop, just like a hamster running endlessly on a wheel! Think of it like a traffic light that never turns green, causing a never-ending jam at an intersection. That’s the chaos this vulnerability can unleash, preventing tcpdump from doing its job effectively. An attacker could leverage this flaw to cause tcpdump to hang indefinitely, rendering it useless for capturing crucial network data. This can lead to a loss of visibility into network traffic and create a nightmare for troubleshooting and monitoring!

Put simply

Think of it like a traffic light that never turns green, causing a never-ending jam at an intersection. That’s the chaos this vulnerability can unleash, preventing tcpdump from doing its job effectively. This vulnerability arises in the LLDP parsing function within tcpdump, allowing it to enter an infinite loop due to a faulty condition in the code, specifically in print-lldp.c:lldp_private_8021_print().

What to do

An attacker could leverage this flaw to cause tcpdump to hang indefinitely, rendering it useless for capturing crucial network data. This can lead to a loss of visibility into network traffic and create a nightmare for troubleshooting and monitoring! Upgrade tcpdump to version 4.9.2 or later immediately to patch this vulnerability. Check your systems and ensure all instances running older versions are updated to prevent potential disruptions. Regular checks and updates should be part of your security routine! You've got this! With these steps, your defenses will be stronger than ever! 🛡️

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
0.02463 · 84.3th percentile
Published
2017-09-14T06:00Z
EPSS history
Timeline
  • 14 SEP 06:00Z
    The LLDP parser in tcpdump before 4.9.2 could enter an infinite loop due to a bug in print-lldp.c:lldp_private_8021_print()
    cvelistv5