In affected libpcap versions, during the setup of a remote packet capture, the internal function sock_initaddress() calls getaddrinfo() and possibly freeaddrinfo(). However, it does not clearly indicate to the caller function whether freeaddrinfo() still remains to be called after the function returns. This oversight makes it possible in some scenarios for both the function and its caller to call freeaddrinfo() for the same allocated memory block.
The vulnerability has been assigned a CVSS score of 4.4, classifying it as medium severity. Risk to organizations includes potential memory management issues, which could lead to application instability or crashes. Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to mitigate these risks.
Currently, there is no known public exploit for this vulnerability, and it has not been included in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog. Nonetheless, the potential for exploitation should not be underestimated, and defenders are urged to take proactive measures.
Immediate action to address this vulnerability is essential, as failure to do so may expose systems to unnecessary risk. Regular updates and thorough vulnerability management practices are key to maintaining security.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability allows for improper memory management during remote packet capture setups. The CVSS score of 4.4 indicates a medium severity level, with significant implications for affected users and organizations. The flaw resides in the libpcap library, which is used by tcpdump.
This vulnerability has been analyzed and identified as CWE-415, which pertains to double free vulnerabilities. It was published on August 31, 2024.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability stems from the implementation of the sock_initaddress() function in libpcap. During its operation, this function makes calls to both getaddrinfo() and freeaddrinfo(), but fails to communicate to the calling function that freeaddrinfo() may still need to be invoked.
Attackers may leverage this vulnerability in environments where libpcap is used to capture packets remotely. The attack vector is categorized as local, with low attack complexity, requiring high privileges to exploit. User interaction is not required, and the availability impact is assessed as high, which could disrupt services relying on libpcap.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Organizations utilizing affected versions of libpcap should be aware of the potential risks associated with this vulnerability. The impact includes possible application crashes or instability due to improper memory management, which could affect operational continuity.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to mitigate these risks. The urgency for remediation is moderate given the CVSS score and potential for service disruption.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The affected version of libpcap is any version prior to 1.10.5. Organizations should ensure they update to the latest patched version to eliminate the vulnerability.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should apply the latest patches from tcpdump to remediate this vulnerability. If a patch is not immediately available, consider implementing configuration hardening and network controls to limit exposure.
For detailed guidance on securing your systems, organizations may refer to resources on continuous penetration testing to identify similar weaknesses.
Detection Guidance
Monitoring logs for unusual memory management behaviors and application crashes can provide indicators of potential exploitation. Behavioral anomalies should be investigated thoroughly to ensure system integrity.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
This vulnerability underscores the importance of robust memory management practices in software development. Security teams should conduct regular vulnerability assessments and integrate secure coding practices into the development lifecycle.
To learn more about effective security practices, organizations can explore our insights on penetration testing methodology, vulnerability management program design, and security testing best practices to enhance overall security posture.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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