Description
The bgp_update_print function in tcpdump 3.x does not properly handle a -1 return value from the decode_prefix4 function, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (infinite loop) via a crafted BGP packet.
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 | 3.9.0.cvs.20050614-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | tcpdump | 3.9.0.cvs.20050614-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | tcpdump | 3.9.0.cvs.20050614-1 | — |
| Debian 3.1 | tcpdump | 3.8.3-5sarge1 | DSA-854-1 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 4 | arpwatch | 14:2.1a13-10.RHEL4 | RHSA-2005:505 |
| RHEL 4 | libpcap | 14:0.8.3-10.RHEL4 | RHSA-2005:505 |
| RHEL 4 | tcpdump | 14:3.8.2-10.RHEL4 | RHSA-2005:505 |
Public exploits
Exploit or proof-of-concept code for this vulnerability is publicly available, which lowers the bar for attackers. Treat it as a reason to patch sooner.
Third-party code, not reviewed by us. Public PoCs are sometimes fake or contain malware. Read the code first and run it only in an isolated lab, against systems you are authorised to test.
Exploit-DB 1
- Tcpdump - bgp_update_print Remote Denial of Service EDB-1037 · dos · Jun 9, 2005 · verified
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 2
- RHSA-2005:505 Red Hat Security Advisory: tcpdump security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- DSA-854-1 tcpdump - infinite loop Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- 13906 vdb-entry
- 17118 third-party-advisory
- 2005-0028 vendor-advisory
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=159208
- 15634 third-party-advisory
- RHSA-2005:505 vendor-advisory
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:11148 vdb-entry signature
- FEDORA-2005-406 vendor-advisory
- FLSA:156139 vendor-advisory
- DSA-854 vendor-advisory