CVE-2017-12896 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A buffer over-read vulnerability in the ISAKMP parser within tcpdump versions earlier than 4.9.2 can lead to security issues.

Understanding CVE-2017-12896

What is CVE-2017-12896?

The vulnerability exists in the print-isakmp.c:isakmp_rfc3948_print() function of tcpdump versions prior to 4.9.2.

The Impact of CVE-2017-12896

The buffer over-read vulnerability can potentially be exploited by attackers to disclose sensitive information or cause a denial of service (DoS) condition.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-12896

Vulnerability Description

The ISAKMP parser in tcpdump before version 4.9.2 suffers from a buffer over-read in the print-isakmp.c:isakmp_rfc3948_print() function.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected System: ISAKMP parser within tcpdump
Affected Versions: tcpdump versions earlier than 4.9.2

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to trigger a buffer over-read by manipulating ISAKMP packets, potentially leading to information disclosure or DoS attacks.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Update tcpdump to version 4.9.2 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor network traffic for any signs of exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and systems to patch known vulnerabilities.
Implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the impact of potential attacks.
Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify and address security weaknesses.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches provided by tcpdump to address the buffer over-read vulnerability.