Description
The print_attr_string function in print-radius.c for tcpdump 3.8.1 and earlier allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (segmentation fault) via a RADIUS attribute with a large length value.
Fixed in Linux distributions
Distributions backport fixes, so the version that fixes this vulnerability differs per release — upgrade to at least the version shown. From the distributions' security trackers and advisories.
Debian
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 14 | tcpdump | 3.8.3-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | tcpdump | 3.8.3-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | tcpdump | 3.8.3-1 | — |
| Debian 3.0 | tcpdump | 3.6.2-2.7 | DSA-425 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 3 | libpcap | 14:0.7.2-7.E3.1 | RHSA-2004:008 |
| RHEL 3 | tcpdump | 14:3.7.2-7.E3.1 | RHSA-2004:008 |
| RHEL 2 | arpwatch | 14:2.1a11-12.2.1AS.5 | RHSA-2004:008 |
| RHEL 2 | libpcap | 14:0.6.2-12.2.1AS.5 | RHSA-2004:008 |
| RHEL 2 | tcpdump | 14:3.6.2-12.2.1AS.5 | RHSA-2004:008 |
Advisories 2
- RHSA-2004:008 Red Hat Security Advisory: tcpdump security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- DSA-425 tcpdump - multiple vulnerabilities Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:850 vdb-entry signature
- CLSA-2003:832 vendor-advisory
- FEDORA-2004-090 vendor-advisory
- 10718 third-party-advisory
- RHSA-2004:008 vendor-advisory
- FLSA:1222 vendor-advisory
- 1008735 vdb-entry
- 7090 vdb-entry
- 11032 third-party-advisory
- [tcpdump-workers] multiple vulnerabilities in tcpdump 3.8.1 mailing-list
- [fedora-announce-list] 20040311 Re: [SECURITY] Fedora Core 1 Update: tcpdump-3.7.2-8.fc1.1 mailing-list
- VU#955526 third-party-advisory
- 11022 third-party-advisory
- 10636 third-party-advisory
- 20040131 [FLSA-2004:1222] Updated tcpdump resolves security vulnerabilites (resend with correct paths) mailing-list
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:9989 vdb-entry signature
- 12179 third-party-advisory
- 10644 third-party-advisory
- MDKSA-2004:008 vendor-advisory
- DSA-425 vendor-advisory
- 10652 third-party-advisory
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:853 vdb-entry signature
- APPLE-SA-2004-02-23 vendor-advisory
- 10639 third-party-advisory
- FEDORA-2004-092 vendor-advisory
- 2004-0004 vendor-advisory