CVE-2017-12898 : Security Advisory and Response

A buffer over-read vulnerability was discovered in the NFS parser within tcpdump versions preceding 4.9.2. This security issue occurs in the interp_reply() function of the print-nfs.c module.

Understanding CVE-2017-12898

The NFS parser in tcpdump before version 4.9.2 is affected by a buffer over-read vulnerability.

What is CVE-2017-12898?

The CVE-2017-12898 vulnerability is a buffer over-read issue found in the NFS parser of tcpdump versions prior to 4.9.2.

The Impact of CVE-2017-12898

This vulnerability could potentially allow an attacker to read beyond the allocated memory, leading to information exposure or a denial of service (DoS) condition.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-12898

The technical aspects of the CVE-2017-12898 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The NFS parser in tcpdump before 4.9.2 has a buffer over-read in print-nfs.c:interp_reply().

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Not applicable
Vendor: Not applicable
Versions: All versions preceding 4.9.2

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by crafting a malicious NFS packet to trigger the buffer over-read in the interp_reply() function.

Mitigation and Prevention

Steps to mitigate and prevent the CVE-2017-12898 vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update tcpdump to version 4.9.2 or later to eliminate the vulnerability.
Monitor vendor advisories for patches and updates.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and systems to patch known vulnerabilities.
Implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure to potential attacks.

Patching and Updates

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