CVE-2005-1267: The bgp_update_print function in tcpdump 3.x does not properly handle a -1 return value from the decode_prefix

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MEDIUM 5.0WATCHLISTDOWNGRADEMITIGATEMITIGATE

CVE-2005-1267 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.0) affecting tcpdump, linux, mandrake linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

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.

Why this priority

EPSS top 4%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference
On your watchlist

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.0 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	13.5% (top 4%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2005-06-10
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): Red Hat, Inc. · Vendor: gentoo · lbl · mandrakesoft · redhat · trustix

Last updated 2026-06-16 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2005-06-10 04:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:12 UTCUpdated Record last modified

lbl tcpdump DOWNGRADE

Affected: 3.4 · 3.4a6 · 3.5 · 3.5.2 · 3.5_alpha · 3.6.2 · 3.6.3 · 3.7

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 3.4

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy tcpdump || rpm -q tcpdump || tcpdump --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 3.4 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison tcpdump sudo apt install tcpdump=<VERSION_BEFORE_3.4> sudo apt-mark hold tcpdump

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list tcpdump sudo dnf downgrade tcpdump-<VERSION_BEFORE_3.4> sudo dnf versionlock add tcpdump

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

gentoo linux MITIGATE

Affected: all versions

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

mandrakesoft mandrake linux MITIGATE

Affected: 10.1 · 10.2

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 10.1

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

redhat fedora core MITIGATE

Affected: core_3.0 · core_4.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before core_3.0

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

trustix secure linux MITIGATE

Affected: 2.0 · 2.1 · 2.2

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.0

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

Public exploits and detection

Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.

Exploit-DB: Tcpdump - bgp_update_print Remote Denial of Service

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2005-1267?

tcpdump: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; mandrake linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2005-1267 being exploited?

CVE-2005-1267 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2005-1267 affect?

CVE-2005-1267 affects tcpdump, linux, mandrake linux. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.0). 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.

How urgent is CVE-2005-1267?

Priority 52/100. EPSS top 4%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference; On your watchlist

Related CVEs

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CVE-2000-1026 HIGH 10.0 DOWNGRADE Multiple buffer overflows in LBNL tcpdump allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands.
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References

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