CVE-2018-14881 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

The BGP parser within tcpdump versions prior to 4.9.3 contains a buffer over-read vulnerability in the print-bgp.c file, specifically in the bgp_capabilities_print() function that handles BGP_CAPCODE_RESTART.

Understanding CVE-2018-14881

This CVE involves a buffer over-read vulnerability in the BGP parser of tcpdump versions before 4.9.3.

What is CVE-2018-14881?

The vulnerability exists in the print-bgp.c file, particularly in the bgp_capabilities_print() function, which manages BGP_CAPCODE_RESTART.

The Impact of CVE-2018-14881

This vulnerability could be exploited by attackers to cause a denial of service (DoS) or potentially execute arbitrary code on the affected system.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-14881

The technical aspects of this CVE include:

Vulnerability Description

The BGP parser in tcpdump before version 4.9.3 suffers from a buffer over-read in print-bgp.c:bgp_capabilities_print() related to BGP_CAPCODE_RESTART.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Not applicable
Vendor: Not applicable
Versions affected: Not applicable

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by crafting a malicious BGP message to trigger the buffer over-read in the bgp_capabilities_print() function.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2018-14881, consider the following:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update tcpdump to version 4.9.3 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor vendor security advisories for patches and updates.

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 provided by the tcpdump project or respective vendors to fix the vulnerability.