Description
Multiple Integer underflows in the geonet_print function in tcpdump 4.5.0 through 4.6.2, when in verbose mode, allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (segmentation fault and crash) via a crafted length value in a Geonet frame.
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 | 4.6.2-2 | — |
| Debian 13 | tcpdump | 4.6.2-2 | — |
| Debian 12 | tcpdump | 4.6.2-2 | — |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 14.04 LTS | tcpdump | 4.5.1-2ubuntu1.1 | USN-2433-1 |
SUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES 12 SP2 | libpcap | 1.8.1-9.1 | SUSE-SU-2017:1110-1 |
| SLES 12 SP2 | tcpdump | 4.9.0-13.1 | SUSE-SU-2017:1110-1 |
| SLES 12 SP1 | libpcap | 1.8.1-9.1 | SUSE-SU-2017:1110-1 |
| SLES 12 SP1 | tcpdump | 4.9.0-13.1 | SUSE-SU-2017:1110-1 |
Show 2 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES for SAP 12 SP2 | libpcap | 1.8.1-9.1 | SUSE-SU-2017:1110-1 |
| SLES for SAP 12 SP2 | tcpdump | 4.9.0-13.1 | SUSE-SU-2017:1110-1 |
| SLES for SAP 12 SP1 | libpcap | 1.8.1-9.1 | SUSE-SU-2017:1110-1 |
| SLES for SAP 12 SP1 | tcpdump | 4.9.0-13.1 | SUSE-SU-2017:1110-1 |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | tcpdump | 4.7.4-3.4 | openSUSE-SU-2024:10396-1 |
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 4.6.2 - Geonet Decoder Denial of Service EDB-35359 · dos · Nov 24, 2014
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 3
- USN-2433-1 tcpdump vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Feb 10, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2017:1110-1 Security update for tcpdump, libpcap SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2024:10396-1 tcpdump-4.7.4-3.4 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
References
- 35359 exploit
- openSUSE-SU-2015:0284 vendor-advisory
- http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/bulletinjul2015-2511963.html
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/129156/tcpdump-4.6.2-Geonet-Denial-Of-Service.html
- USN-2433-1 vendor-advisory
- 20141118 CVE-2014-8768 tcpdump denial of service in verbose mode using malformed Geonet payload mailing-list
- 71155 vdb-entry
- tpcdump-cve20148768-dos(98766) vdb-entry
- 20141118 CVE-2014-8768 tcpdump denial of service in verbose mode using malformed Geonet payload mailing-list