CVE-2005-3651 in Ethereal
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in the dissect_ospf_v3_address_prefix function in the OSPF protocol dissector in Ethereal 0.10.12, and possibly other versions, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted packets.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/12/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-3651 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow affecting the OSPF protocol dissector within Ethereal version 0.10.12 and potentially other versions. This flaw resides in the dissect_ospf_v3_address_prefix function which processes OSPF version 3 address prefix information during packet analysis. The issue arises when the dissector encounters malformed or crafted OSPF packets containing oversized address prefix data that exceeds the allocated buffer space on the stack. This particular vulnerability demonstrates a classic software security weakness where insufficient input validation allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution. The flaw affects network protocol analysis tools that process OSPF traffic, making it particularly dangerous in environments where network monitoring and analysis are critical for security operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking within the dissect_ospf_v3_address_prefix function. When processing OSPF version 3 packets, the dissector fails to adequately validate the length of address prefix data contained within the packet structure. This allows an attacker to craft specially formatted packets with oversized prefix information that overflows the predetermined stack buffer allocated for processing this data. The buffer overflow occurs because the dissector uses a fixed-size buffer without proper bounds checking before copying data from the packet payload. This type of vulnerability directly maps to CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is classified under the broader category of memory safety issues in software development. The attack vector requires the ability to send crafted OSPF packets to a system running the vulnerable Ethereal version, making it a remote code execution vulnerability that can be exploited across network boundaries.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-3651 extends beyond simple system compromise, as it represents a significant threat to network infrastructure monitoring capabilities. Network security professionals who rely on Ethereal for network traffic analysis and troubleshooting could find their monitoring tools compromised, potentially leading to complete system takeover or denial of service conditions. The vulnerability affects not only individual systems running the dissector but also entire network monitoring infrastructures that depend on these tools for protocol analysis. In enterprise environments where network protocols are analyzed for security purposes, this vulnerability creates a dangerous scenario where the very tools used for security monitoring become attack vectors themselves. The implications are particularly severe because network protocol analyzers are often deployed in critical infrastructure monitoring roles, making them prime targets for attackers seeking persistent access to network environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-3651 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The most effective immediate solution involves upgrading to a patched version of Ethereal or switching to its successor Wireshark, which contains the necessary fixes for this buffer overflow vulnerability. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure to potentially malicious OSPF traffic. Network administrators should consider deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify and block suspicious OSPF packet patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. From a defensive perspective, this vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and bounds checking in network protocol processing code, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1203 for Exploitation for Client Execution. Additionally, implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous protocol behavior and establishing robust patch management processes are essential defensive measures that address both the immediate vulnerability and prevent similar issues in future software deployments.