CVE-2005-1463 in Ethereal
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple format string vulnerabilities in the (1) DHCP and (2) ANSI A dissectors in Ethereal before 0.10.11 may allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/29/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-1463 represents a critical security flaw affecting the Ethereal network protocol analyzer software version 0.10.10 and earlier. This vulnerability manifests through multiple format string vulnerabilities located within the DHCP and ANSI A dissectors of the application. Format string vulnerabilities occur when an application improperly handles user-supplied input during string formatting operations, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory and execute arbitrary code. The affected dissectors are responsible for parsing and interpreting network traffic data, specifically handling DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) and ANSI A protocol packets that are commonly encountered in network analysis scenarios. These dissectors process incoming network data without proper input validation, making them susceptible to maliciously crafted packets that contain specially formatted strings designed to exploit the underlying vulnerability.
The technical exploitation of these format string vulnerabilities enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on systems running vulnerable versions of Ethereal. When the application processes malformed DHCP or ANSI A packets containing malicious format specifiers, the improper string handling allows attackers to manipulate the program's execution flow. This can result in stack smashing, memory corruption, and ultimately arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the Ethereal process. The vulnerability specifically affects the application's ability to properly validate and sanitize input data before processing it through format string functions such as printf, sprintf, or related functions. Attackers can leverage this weakness by crafting specially designed network packets that, when analyzed by Ethereal, trigger the format string exploitation mechanism. The impact extends beyond simple code execution to potentially allow full system compromise, especially when Ethereal is run with elevated privileges or on systems where it processes untrusted network traffic.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-1463 is significant for network security professionals and organizations relying on Ethereal for network monitoring and analysis. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication or specialized access to the target system. Network administrators who use Ethereal to analyze traffic from untrusted sources, such as public networks or external partners, face immediate risk of compromise. The vulnerability affects not only the stability of the network analysis tools but also the broader network security infrastructure, as compromised Ethereal instances could provide attackers with access to sensitive network information and potentially serve as a foothold for further attacks. Organizations using Ethereal in production environments where it processes live network traffic are particularly vulnerable, as attackers can exploit this weakness during normal network monitoring operations. The vulnerability also impacts the integrity of network analysis data, as attackers could potentially inject malicious data that could compromise the analysis results or cause denial of service conditions.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-134, which specifically addresses format string vulnerabilities in software applications, and represents a classic example of improper input validation in network protocol analysis tools. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to the technique of remote code execution through protocol analysis tools, potentially enabling adversaries to establish persistent access or escalate privileges within network environments. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to Ethereal version 0.10.11 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address these format string vulnerabilities. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of Ethereal instances to untrusted network traffic. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual network traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, and regular security assessments should verify that all network analysis tools are running patched versions. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper input validation and secure coding practices in network security tools, particularly those handling untrusted data from network protocols.