CVE-2005-1462 in Ethereal
Summary
by MITRE
Double free vulnerability in the ICEP dissector in Ethereal before 0.10.11 may allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/29/2024
The CVE-2005-1462 vulnerability represents a critical double free memory corruption flaw within the ICEP dissector component of Ethereal network protocol analyzer version 0.10.10 and earlier. This vulnerability resides in the packet parsing logic that processes ICEP (Internet Control and Event Protocol) traffic, which is used for network monitoring and analysis. The issue manifests when the dissector handles malformed or specially crafted ICEP packets that contain inconsistent or overlapping memory references during the processing lifecycle. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-415 as an improper behavior in memory management where the same memory block is freed twice, leading to potential arbitrary code execution. This flaw operates at the application layer within the network protocol analysis framework, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through network traffic without requiring local system access.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious ICEP packets that trigger the double free condition during protocol decoding. When Ethereal processes these packets, the dissector code attempts to free memory blocks that have already been released, creating a state where subsequent memory operations can corrupt the heap or overwrite critical program structures. The memory corruption can be leveraged to overwrite function pointers, return addresses, or other control data structures, enabling attackers to redirect program execution flow. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1078.004 for Valid Accounts, as successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the Ethereal process. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because Ethereal was commonly run with elevated privileges for network monitoring purposes, amplifying the potential impact of successful exploitation.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-1462 extends beyond simple code execution as it can compromise entire network monitoring infrastructure. Organizations relying on Ethereal for network traffic analysis would be vulnerable to remote code execution attacks that could go undetected while attackers establish persistent access to monitored networks. The vulnerability affects systems where Ethereal is used for network forensics, intrusion detection, or security monitoring, making it a significant concern for cybersecurity operations centers and network administrators. The exploitability of this vulnerability is enhanced by the fact that Ethereal was often deployed in environments where network traffic analysis was performed on untrusted networks, increasing the attack surface. Network security teams would need to implement immediate mitigation strategies including patching to version 0.10.11 or later, network segmentation, and monitoring for unusual network traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of memory safety practices in protocol analysis tools, as similar issues could exist in other network monitoring applications that handle untrusted input data. Organizations should consider implementing network access controls to prevent unauthorized access to systems running protocol analyzers, while also ensuring that all network monitoring tools are regularly updated to address known vulnerabilities.