CVE-2017-5486 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A buffer overflow vulnerability in the print-isoclns.c:clnp_print() function of the ISO CLNS parser in tcpdump versions earlier than 4.9.0.

Understanding CVE-2017-5486

This CVE involves a buffer overflow issue in tcpdump versions prior to 4.9.0.

What is CVE-2017-5486?

The vulnerability exists in the print-isoclns.c:clnp_print() function of the ISO CLNS parser in tcpdump versions before 4.9.0.

The Impact of CVE-2017-5486

The buffer overflow vulnerability could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service by sending specially crafted packets.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-5486

This section provides more technical insights into the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The ISO CLNS parser in tcpdump before version 4.9.0 is susceptible to a buffer overflow in the print-isoclns.c:clnp_print() function.

Affected Systems and Versions

Systems running tcpdump versions earlier than 4.9.0

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by sending malicious packets to trigger the buffer overflow.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2017-5486 is crucial to maintaining security.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update tcpdump to version 4.9.0 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Implement network-level protections to filter out potentially malicious packets.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and firmware to patch known vulnerabilities.
Conduct security assessments and penetration testing to identify and address weaknesses.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches provided by tcpdump to address the buffer overflow vulnerability.