Evidence used
- No CISA KEV confirmation is currently recorded.
- Exploitation requires an existing local or physical foothold with privileges.
- EPSS is 0.12% for the current model date.
BlackTreeCVE IntelligenceFull vulnerability report · 2025
CVE-2025-11961High confidence
OOBR and OOBW in pcap_ether_aton() in libpcap
The Tcpdump Group · libpcap
1.9LowCVSS 3.1
Patch only the product branches with a verified fix
Fix availability varies by productLow technical severity with no CISA KEV confirmation; remediate through the normal risk-based patch cycle unless local exposure raises the priority. Verified remediation exists for at least one product or source, but 15 structured product or package states remain unresolved. Apply remediation only to the exact product branch confirmed by its source.
R
Open reassessment dashboard →Operational reassessment
Published severity in operational context
Published severityLow→Operational priority:Low, unchanged from published severity.unchanged
Compensating controls
- Validate the affected product branch and deploy the verified fixed release.
- Restrict local access and enforce least privilege on affected hosts.
- Monitor vendor guidance and exploitation sources for a material change.
Verification
- Confirm that the asset runs The Tcpdump Group libpcap and falls inside the recorded affected range.
- Verify the installed build against the product-specific fixed version after deployment.
- Validate exposure, authentication requirements and compensating controls in the actual environment.
- Reopen this reassessment when CVSS, KEV, EPSS, exploit evidence or remediation changes.
Remediation availability differs by product scope
Verified remediation exists for at least one product or source, but 15 structured product or package states remain unresolved. Apply remediation only to the exact product branch confirmed by its source.
- Red Hat Product Security: 13 affected or under-investigation product states without a fixed product state in the same current advisory
- Debian Security Tracker: 2 affected package states with no published fix
Distribution package intelligence
8 package statesRelease-specific package status
Alpine, Debian, ubuntu findings are scoped to the named distribution, release and source package. An absent finding does not mean a package is unaffected.
Package result overrides the generic status
BlackTree has verified remediation for at least one product or source, but the relevant distribution still reports no fixed package for 2 affected package states shown here. Treat those rows as affected with no fix until that distribution publishes a fixed version.
Repository candidate not checked
A published vendor fix does not prove that a matching update is enabled and installable on a particular asset. Confirm the local package candidate before scheduling remediation.
| Distribution release | Source package | Vendor state | Fixed version | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpine v3.23v3.23 · main | libpcap | Vendor fix publishedAlpine records a security fix at this version. An absent entry does not mean the package is unaffected. | 1.10.7-r0 | Alpine Security Database ↗Source updated 3 Oct 2026 |
| Alpine v3.22v3.22 · main | libpcap | Vendor fix publishedAlpine records a security fix at this version. An absent entry does not mean the package is unaffected. | 1.10.7-r0 | Alpine Security Database ↗Source updated 3 Oct 2026 |
| Alpine v3.21v3.21 · main | libpcap | Vendor fix publishedAlpine records a security fix at this version. An absent entry does not mean the package is unaffected. | 1.10.7-r0 | Alpine Security Database ↗Source updated 3 Oct 2026 |
| Debian trixietrixie · source | libpcap | Affected, no fix publishedDebian currently tracks this release as open. | Not published in this feed | Debian Security Tracker ↗Source updated 6 Oct 2026 |
| Debian bookwormbookworm · source | libpcap | Affected, no fix publishedDebian currently tracks this release as open. | Not published in this feed | Debian Security Tracker ↗Source updated 6 Oct 2026 |
| Debian forkyforky · source | libpcap | Vendor fix publishedDebian records a fixed source-package version for this release. | 1.10.6-1 | Debian Security Tracker ↗Source updated 6 Oct 2026 |
| Debian sidsid · source | libpcap | Vendor fix publishedDebian records a fixed source-package version for this release. | 1.10.6-1 | Debian Security Tracker ↗Source updated 6 Oct 2026 |
| Ubuntu 24.04 LTSnoble · standard archive | libpcap | Under evaluationCanonical reports that the package might be affected and still needs evaluation or fixing. | Not published in this feed | Canonical Ubuntu Security ↗Source updated 5 Oct 2026 |
Direct vendor intelligence
1 currentAuthoritative vendor CSAF and VEX advisories
Structured product status and remediation from the issuing vendor. Product-state explanations are always visible; large lists can be searched or downloaded.
CVE-2025-11961 · CSAF 2.0 · revision 3 · finalRed Hat Product Securitylibpcap: libpcap: Memory corruption via malformed MAC-48 address input
The vendor explicitly identifies these products as affected by this CVE.
- libpcap-devel as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10
- libpcap.src as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10
- libpcap-devel as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
- libpcap.src as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
- libpcap-devel as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7
- libpcap.src as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7
- libpcap as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8
- libpcap-devel as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8
- libpcap.src as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8
- libpcap-devel as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9
- libpcap.src as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9
- openshift/ose-rhel-coreos-8 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4
- Summary
- A flaw was found in libpcap. The pcap_ether_aton() function, which processes MAC-48 addresses, does not properly validate input strings. An application that calls this function with a malformed address string can cause the function to read or write data beyond its intended memory boundaries. This can lead to minor data corruption or unexpected application behavior.
- Remediation
- Mitigation for this issue is either not available or the currently available options do not meet the Red Hat Product Security criteria comprising ease of use and deployment, applicability to widespread installation base, or stability.
Low technical severity with no CISA KEV confirmation; remediate through the normal risk-based patch cycle unless local exposure raises the priority. Verified remediation exists for at least one product or source, but 15 structured product or package states remain unresolved. Apply remediation only to the exact product branch confirmed by its source.
Fix availability varies by product01
What, why and how
pcap_ether_aton() is an auxiliary function in libpcap, it takes a string argument and returns a fixed-size allocated buffer. The string argument must be a well-formed MAC-48 address in one of the supported formats, but this requirement has been poorly documented. If an application calls the function with an argument that deviates from the expected format, the function can read data beyond the end of the provided string and write data beyond the end of the allocated buffer.
What
pcap_ether_aton() is an auxiliary function in libpcap, it takes a string argument and returns a fixed-size allocated buffer. The string argument must be a well-formed MAC-48 address in one of the supported formats, but this requirement has been poorly documented. If an application calls the function with an argument that deviates from the expected format, the function can read data beyond the end of the provided string and write data beyond the end of the allocated buffer.
Why
The product reads from a buffer using buffer access mechanisms such as indexes or pointers that reference memory locations after the targeted buffer.
How
An attacker operating through local access may attempt exploitation with elevated privileges. If successful, the issue may cause the confidentiality, integrity or availability impact described by the vendor.
What
pcap_ether_aton() is an auxiliary function in libpcap, it takes a string argument and returns a fixed-size allocated buffer. The string argument must be a well-formed MAC-48 address in one of the supported formats, but this requirement has been poorly documented. If an application calls the function with an argument that deviates from the expected format, the function can read data beyond the end of the provided string and write data beyond the end of the allocated buffer.
Why
The product reads from a buffer using buffer access mechanisms such as indexes or pointers that reference memory locations after the targeted buffer.
How
An attacker operating through local access may attempt exploitation with elevated privileges. If successful, the issue may cause the confidentiality, integrity or availability impact described by the vendor.
02
Exploit reality and attack path
CVSS severity, EPSS forecast probability, public exploit material and CISA-confirmed exploitation are separate signals.
Observed exploitation No confirmed evidence
?
Confirmed exploitation and public exploit material are separate signals. Attacks can occur without public proof-of-concept or exploit code.No CISA KEV match was present at the last successful refresh. This means no confirmation from that source, not proof of no exploitation.
Public PoC / exploit material None recorded
?
Confirmed exploitation and public exploit material are separate signals. Attacks can occur without public proof-of-concept or exploit code.No exploit-tagged reference or CISA SSVC proof-of-concept state is currently recorded. Research may still exist outside the structured feeds.
- Likely attack path
- local access → Buffer Over-read → cause the confidentiality, integrity or availability impact described by the vendor
- Attack surface
- Local
- Privileges required
- High: elevated access is required
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- High: exploitation depends on specific conditions
- Security boundary
- Unchanged: impact remains within the vulnerable component's security authority
- Weakness
?
CWE means Common Weakness Enumeration: a standard category for the underlying weakness. - CWE-126 ↗
CWE-126: Buffer Over-read. The product reads from a buffer using buffer access mechanisms such as indexes or pointers that reference memory locations after the targeted buffer.
- CVSS vector
?
CVSS means Common Vulnerability Scoring System. The vector records the metric values used to calculate technical severity. CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:NCommon Vulnerability Scoring System 3.1: the compact vector below is decoded into plain language.
AVLocalAttack vector: The attacker needs local access to the vulnerable system.ACHighAttack complexity: Successful exploitation depends on specific conditions outside the attacker's direct control.PRHighPrivileges required: The attacker needs elevated or administrative privileges.UINoneUser interaction: No action by another user is required.SUnchangedScope: The security impact remains within the vulnerable component's authority.CNoneConfidentiality impact: No direct loss is represented by this metric.ILowIntegrity impact: A successful attack can cause a limited loss.ANoneAvailability impact: No direct loss is represented by this metric.- Post-exploitation / living off the land
- The issue can support a local privilege or sandbox boundary transition; normal system utilities may then be available in the gained context.
03
Patch and workaround
Operational remediation based on structured source evidence.
- Status
?
Patch availability is based on structured fixed-version fields and authoritative update references. If no fix is verified, check the vendor advisory before making a change. - Fix availability varies by product
- Affected
- libpcap-devel as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10
- libpcap.src as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10
- libpcap-devel as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
- libpcap.src as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
- libpcap-devel as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7
- libpcap.src as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7
- libpcap as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8
- libpcap-devel as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8
- libpcap.src as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8
- libpcap-devel as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9
- libpcap.src as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9
- openshift/ose-rhel-coreos-8 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4
- openshift/ose-rhel-coreos-9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4
- Action
- Use the product-specific evidence above. Patch only products with a verified fixed release, and keep every affected or under-investigation state without a matching fix in the remediation queue.
- Workaround
- Mitigation for this issue is either not available or the currently available options do not meet the Red Hat Product Security criteria comprising ease of use and deployment, applicability to widespread installation base, or stability.
04
Evidence and provenance
Published 31 Dec 2025 · Last source change 2 Jan 2026, 14:38 UTC · CWE-126 · Buffer Over-read
CVE recordCVE.org · 5.2
CVSS sourceCNA
EPSS source FIRST · tracked since 2026-08-14
?
The date BlackTree first stored a score for this CVE from the daily FIRST EPSS feed.European sourceENISA EUVD · EUVD-2025-205869
Product sourceVendor CSAF · Red Hat Product Security
Remediation sourceVendor CSAF · Red Hat Product Security
CWE sourceCNA
NVD statusNVD not scheduled
Core structured fields are present and their contributing authorities are shown above.
Material change intelligence
View recent updates ↗What changed after publication
- Affected versionsThe structured affected or fixed version information changed.Red Hat Product Security ↗
- Before
- libpcap-devel as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10; libpcap.src as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10; libpcap-devel as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6; libpcap.src as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6; libpcap-devel as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7; libpcap.src as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7; libpcap as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8; libpcap-devel as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8; libpcap.src as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8; libpcap-devel as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9; libpcap.src as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9; openshift/ose-rhel-coreos-9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4
- After
- libpcap-devel as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10; libpcap.src as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10; libpcap-devel as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6; libpcap.src as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6; libpcap-devel as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7; libpcap.src as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7; libpcap as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8; libpcap-devel as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8; libpcap.src as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8; libpcap-devel as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9; libpcap.src as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9; openshift/ose-rhel-coreos-8 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4; openshift/ose-rhel-coreos-9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4
Technical terms and abbreviations used in this report
- CVE
- Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures: the public identifier for one disclosed vulnerability.
- CVSS
- Common Vulnerability Scoring System: a technical severity framework; it is not patching priority by itself.
- EPSS
- Exploit Prediction Scoring System: FIRST's estimate of the probability that exploitation activity will be observed in the next 30 days; it is a forecast, not confirmation.
- CWE
- Common Weakness Enumeration: the standard category describing the underlying software or hardware weakness.
- CNA
- CVE Numbering Authority: an organisation authorised to assign and publish CVE records.
- CISA ADP
- Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Authorized Data Publisher: structured enrichment added to a CVE record.
- NVD
- National Vulnerability Database: NIST's enrichment service for CVE records.
- CERT / CSIRT
- A computer security incident response team that publishes warnings or coordinates incident response.
- PoC
- Proof of concept: public material that demonstrates or helps reproduce exploitation.
- CSAF
- Common Security Advisory Framework: a machine-readable format for security advisories.
- LoTL
- Living off the land: abuse of legitimate tools or system functions during an attack.