PatchTheCVECVE-2007-3798: Integer overflow in print-bgp.c in the BGP dissector in tcpdump 3.9.6 and earlier allows remote attackers to e
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CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEWATCHLISTUPGRADEMITIGATEMITIGATE
CVE-2007-3798 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting tcpdump, ubuntu linux, debian linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.
Integer overflow in print-bgp.c in the BGP dissector in tcpdump 3.9.6 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted TLVs in a BGP packet, related to an unchecked return value.
Why this priority
- Critical severity
- EPSS top 1%: very likely to be exploited
- Public exploit reference
- CISA SSVC: automatable with total technical impact
- Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action
- On your watchlist
A fixed release or distro patch exists.
Risk facts
| CVSS score | 9.8 (Critical) |
| Attack vector | Network (remote) |
| Attack complexity | Low |
| Privileges needed | None |
| User interaction | None |
| EPSS exploit chance | 70.4% (top 1%) |
| CISA exploited list | No |
| Weakness | CWE-252 |
| Published | 2007-07-16 |
| Last modified | 2026-06-16 |
Last updated 2026-06-16 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score
Am I affected?
Timeline
- Published CVE record published
- Updated Record last modified
tcpdump tcpdump UPGRADE
Affected: <= 3.9.6
Fixed in: newer than 3.9.6
Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy tcpdump || rpm -q tcpdump || tcpdump --version
2. UPGRADE to newer than 3.9.6 (Debian / Ubuntu)
sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade tcpdump
2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
sudo dnf upgrade tcpdump
Note
Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.
canonical ubuntu linux MITIGATE
Affected: 6.06 · 6.10 · 7.04
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 6.06
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.
debian debian linux MITIGATE
Affected: 3.1 · 4.0
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 3.1
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.
slackware slackware DOWNGRADE
Affected: 9.0 · 9.1 · 10.0 · 10.1 · 10.2 · 11.0 · 12.0
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 9.0
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy slackware || rpm -q slackware || slackware --version
2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 9.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)
apt-cache madison slackware
sudo apt install slackware=<VERSION_BEFORE_9.0>
sudo apt-mark hold slackware
2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
dnf --showduplicates list slackware
sudo dnf downgrade slackware-<VERSION_BEFORE_9.0>
sudo dnf versionlock add slackware
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.
freebsd freebsd UPGRADE
Affected: >= 5.0 and < 5.5 · >= 6.0 and < 6.1 · 5.5 · 5.5 p1 · 5.5 p11 · 5.5 p12 · 5.5 p13 · 5.5 p14
Fixed in: 5.5, 6.1
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 5.0
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.
apple mac os x UPGRADE
Affected: >= 10.0.0 and < 10.4.11
Fixed in: 10.4.11
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 10.0.0
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.
Exact fixes by distribution
A distro patch exists: prefer upgrading over downgrading.
Fedora 46 · rust-tokio · FIXED · 1.54.1-1.fc46 · FEDORA-2026-e7fd815169 · source
sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-e7fd815169
Fedora ELN · libopenraw · FIXED · 0.3.7-2.eln159 · FEDORA-2026-3fa115dd38 · source
sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-3fa115dd38
Debian 12 · tcpdump · FIXED · 3.9.5-3
sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade tcpdump
dpkg --compare-versions "$(dpkg-query -W -f='${Version}' tcpdump)" ge "3.9.5-3" && echo PATCHED || echo STILL-VULNERABLE
Debian 13 · tcpdump · FIXED · 3.9.5-3
sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade tcpdump
dpkg --compare-versions "$(dpkg-query -W -f='${Version}' tcpdump)" ge "3.9.5-3" && echo PATCHED || echo STILL-VULNERABLE
RHEL 4 · tcpdump · FIXED · tcpdump-3.8.2-12.el4
sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=RHSA-2007:0387
rpm -q tcpdump
RHEL 5 · tcpdump · FIXED · tcpdump-3.9.4-11.el5
sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=RHSA-2007:0368
rpm -q tcpdump
Public exploits and detection
Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.
- Write-up: oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A9771
- Exploit-DB: tcpdump - Print-bgp.C Remote Integer Underflow
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.
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-2007-3798?
tcpdump: upgrade to newer than 3.9.6; ubuntu linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.
Is CVE-2007-3798 being exploited?
CVE-2007-3798 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-2007-3798 affect?
CVE-2007-3798 affects tcpdump, ubuntu linux, debian linux. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). Integer overflow in print-bgp.c in the BGP dissector in tcpdump 3.9.6 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted TLVs in a BGP packet, related to an unchecked return value.
How urgent is CVE-2007-3798?
Priority 77/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 1%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference; CISA SSVC: automatable with total technical impact; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist
Software pages
Ubuntu vulnerabilities · Debian vulnerabilities
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