CVE-2005-2367 in Ethereal
Summary
by MITRE
Format string vulnerability in the proto_item_set_text function in Ethereal 0.9.4 through 0.10.11, as used in multiple dissectors, allows remote attackers to write to arbitrary memory locations and gain privileges via a crafted AFP packet.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/02/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2367 represents a critical format string flaw within the Ethereal network protocol analyzer software version 0.9.4 through 0.10.11. This issue specifically affects the proto_item_set_text function which is utilized across multiple protocol dissectors within the application. The flaw stems from improper handling of user-supplied input data when constructing formatted output strings, creating a scenario where maliciously crafted input can manipulate the program's memory operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when Ethereal processes AFP (Apple Filing Protocol) packets that contain specially crafted data. The proto_item_set_text function fails to properly validate or sanitize the format string parameters, allowing an attacker to inject format specifiers into the string processing logic. This misconfiguration enables attackers to control how the application interprets and processes memory locations, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability operates under CWE-134 which specifically addresses format string vulnerabilities where format strings are constructed from user-controlled data without proper validation or sanitization.
Operationally, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to network monitoring and security analysis environments where Ethereal is deployed. Remote attackers can exploit this flaw by sending specially crafted AFP packets to a system running the vulnerable Ethereal version, potentially leading to privilege escalation or complete system compromise. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because AFP is commonly used in network environments, making the exploitation surface wide and accessible. The impact extends beyond simple denial of service to include potential complete system takeover, making this a critical security concern for organizations relying on network protocol analysis tools.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 which covers command and script injection methods. Attackers can leverage the format string vulnerability to execute arbitrary code in the context of the Ethereal process, potentially gaining elevated privileges. Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including updating to patched versions of Ethereal, implementing network segmentation to limit exposure, and deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify and block malicious AFP traffic patterns. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of input validation and proper string handling in network protocol analyzers, as similar issues could exist in other network monitoring tools that process user-supplied data without adequate sanitization.