CVE-2017-12991 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

The tcpdump version prior to 4.9.2 has a buffer over-read issue in the BGP parser found in print-bgp.c:bgp_attr_print().

Understanding CVE-2017-12991

What is CVE-2017-12991?

The CVE-2017-12991 vulnerability is a buffer over-read issue in the BGP parser of tcpdump versions before 4.9.2.

The Impact of CVE-2017-12991

This vulnerability could allow an attacker to exploit the buffer over-read issue in the BGP parser, potentially leading to information disclosure or denial of service.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-12991

Vulnerability Description

The BGP parser in tcpdump before version 4.9.2 has a buffer over-read in print-bgp.c:bgp_attr_print().

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Systems: Not applicable
Affected Versions: Not applicable

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by crafting a malicious BGP packet to trigger the buffer over-read in the BGP parser.

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 and patch all software to prevent known vulnerabilities.
Implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the impact of potential attacks.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches and updates provided by tcpdump to address the buffer over-read issue in the BGP parser.