CVE-2025-51006: High Vulnerability in Broadcom tcpreplay

A high-severity vulnerability has been identified within Broadcom's tcpreplay tool, specifically in the tcprewrite component. This vulnerability allows local attackers to exploit a double free condition that can lead to memory corruption. The flaw is triggered within the dlt_linuxsll2_cleanup() function, where the cleanup routine is invoked multiple times on the same memory region, potentially resulting in a Denial of Service (DoS).

The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 7.8, classified as high severity. This rating is critical as it indicates the potential for significant impact in environments where tcpreplay is utilized. The vulnerability could lead to significant service disruptions if exploited, highlighting the importance of immediate attention.

Organizations using tcpreplay should prioritize patching this vulnerability to prevent potential exploitation. Given the attack vector is local and requires user interaction, the risk remains substantial, especially in environments where untrusted users have access to execute the software.

As of now, this vulnerability is not listed in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog. However, the existence of a public proof of concept (PoC) on GitHub indicates that the risk of exploitation is tangible, urging organizations to take proactive measures.

Vulnerability Details

The vulnerability allows local attackers to exploit a flaw in the tcprewrite component of tcpreplay. The official description states that the vulnerability is triggered when the tcpedit_dlt_cleanup() function indirectly invokes the cleanup routine multiple times on the same memory area. This flaw is classified as CWE-415, indicating a double free situation.

The CVSS vector for this vulnerability is CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H, with the availability, integrity, and confidentiality impacts rated as high.

Technical Analysis

The root cause of this vulnerability lies in improper memory management within the tcprewrite component of tcpreplay. Specifically, when the cleanup process is invoked multiple times on the same memory area, it leads to a double free condition. This can result in memory corruption, allowing local attackers to crash the service or potentially execute arbitrary code under certain conditions.

The attack vector is classified as local, meaning that an attacker must have local access to the system to exploit this vulnerability. The complexity of the attack is low, as it requires only user interaction to supply a specially crafted pcap file to the tcprewrite binary. No privileges are required for an attacker to exploit this vulnerability, making it even more concerning.

If exploited, the potential impacts include high confidentiality, integrity, and availability damage due to memory corruption. The vulnerability does not require any complex conditions, making it a straightforward target for attackers.

Risk & Impact Analysis

The risk to organizations includes the potential for Denial of Service (DoS) attacks, which can disrupt service availability and affect users relying on tcpreplay for network testing and analysis. Given that the vulnerability requires local access, the risk is particularly significant in environments where untrusted users may have access to the system.

Additionally, the existence of a public proof of concept means that the vulnerability could be exploited in the wild, increasing the urgency for organizations to implement patches. Organizations should consider the blast radius of this vulnerability, as it could affect multiple systems if a single instance of tcpreplay is compromised.

Given the CVSS score of 7.8, organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle. The current public awareness of the exploit adds to the urgency, requiring immediate attention.

Exploitation Status

Affected Versions

The affected version of the tcpreplay component is 4.5.1. Organizations using this version or earlier should prioritize applying patches to mitigate this vulnerability.

Mitigation & Remediation

Organizations should apply available patches to their tcpreplay installations immediately. If a patch is unavailable, consider reviewing the configuration settings to restrict access to the tcprewrite binary and monitor for unusual activities. For comprehensive security assessments, organizations may benefit from penetration testing methodologies that can help identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities.

Detection Guidance

To detect potential exploitation of this vulnerability, organizations should monitor system logs for indications of abnormal behavior related to tcpreplay usage, such as repeated execution of the tcprewrite binary with unusual parameters. Additionally, logging any changes to memory allocations and deallocations related to tcprewrite may provide insights into potential exploitation.

AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight

The long-term significance of this vulnerability is underscored by its potential for exploitation in localized environments. As software like tcpreplay is integral to network testing, vulnerabilities such as this can disrupt critical operations. Security teams should focus on implementing robust security practices and regular updates to mitigate risks associated with software vulnerabilities.

This case exemplifies the need for continuous monitoring and assessment of software components. Security teams should assess their exposure to vulnerabilities similar to CVE-2025-51006 and implement defensive strategies accordingly. For further comprehensive assessments, organizations are encouraged to utilize red teaming services to identify and address vulnerabilities proactively.

In conclusion, the CVE-2025-51006 vulnerability in Broadcom's tcpreplay serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance in software security. By maintaining an updated security posture and implementing proactive measures, organizations can better defend against potential exploits of such vulnerabilities.