CVE-2008-3140 in Wireshark
Summary
by MITRE
The syslog dissector in Wireshark (formerly Ethereal) 1.0.0 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via unknown vectors, possibly related to an "incomplete SS7 MSU syslog encapsulated packet."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/26/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-3140 represents a critical denial of service flaw within Wireshark version 1.0.0, specifically affecting the syslog dissector component that processes network traffic for analysis. This issue stems from the application's handling of syslog messages that are encapsulated within SS7 MSU (Message Signaling Unit) packets, which are commonly used in telecommunications signaling networks. The vulnerability manifests when the dissector encounters malformed or improperly structured syslog data within these SS7 encapsulated packets, leading to application instability and potential complete crash of the network analysis tool.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it within the realm of software robustness and input validation failures, specifically categorized under CWE-691, which addresses insufficient control of a resource through a long-lived access pattern. The flaw occurs during the packet parsing process where Wireshark's syslog dissector fails to properly validate the structure and content of syslog messages embedded within SS7 signaling units. This incomplete validation allows attackers to craft specially malformed packets that, when processed by the dissector, trigger memory corruption or invalid memory access patterns that result in application termination. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be exploited remotely, requiring no authentication or privileged access to the target system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it affects the reliability of network analysis operations that depend on Wireshark for troubleshooting and security monitoring. Network administrators and security analysts who rely on Wireshark for real-time traffic analysis could face unexpected application crashes when processing legitimate network traffic containing the maliciously crafted SS7 MSU syslog packets. This could lead to loss of critical network visibility, particularly in environments where SS7 signaling is monitored for security purposes or where network troubleshooting requires continuous packet analysis. The vulnerability essentially creates a vector for attackers to disrupt network monitoring capabilities and potentially mask their malicious activities by causing legitimate analysis tools to fail.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected Wireshark installations to version 1.0.1 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for proper input validation and error handling within the syslog dissector. Organizations should implement network segmentation and monitoring to detect unusual SS7 traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing proper access controls to limit who can initiate network captures or process potentially malicious traffic helps reduce the attack surface. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust input validation in network analysis tools and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1498, which covers network denial of service attacks. Security teams should also consider implementing network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify and block malformed SS7 traffic patterns, as well as regularly updating network analysis tools to address known vulnerabilities and maintain operational resilience against similar threats.