CVE-2017-12989 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies
Discover the impact of CVE-2017-12989, a vulnerability in tcpdump prior to version 4.9.2 that could lead to denial of service attacks. Learn about affected systems, exploitation, and mitigation steps.
A vulnerability in the RESP parser of tcpdump prior to version 4.9.2 could lead to an infinite loop, impacting system stability and performance.
Understanding CVE-2017-12989
What is CVE-2017-12989?
The bug in the print-resp.c:resp_get_length() function in the RESP parser of tcpdump before version 4.9.2 could cause the parser to enter an infinite loop, potentially leading to denial of service.
The Impact of CVE-2017-12989
This vulnerability could allow an attacker to exploit the parser, causing it to get stuck in an infinite loop, consuming system resources and potentially leading to a denial of service condition.
Technical Details of CVE-2017-12989
Vulnerability Description
The bug in the print-resp.c:resp_get_length() function in the RESP parser of tcpdump before version 4.9.2 could trigger an infinite loop, impacting system stability.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Affected System: tcpdump
- Affected Versions: Prior to 4.9.2
Exploitation Mechanism
The vulnerability can be exploited by crafting specific network packets to trigger the flawed RESP parser, causing it to enter an infinite loop.
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 firmware to patch known vulnerabilities.
- Implement network segmentation to limit the impact of potential attacks.
Patching and Updates
- Apply security patches and updates provided by the tcpdump project to address the vulnerability.