CVE-2009-0599 in Wireshark
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in wiretap/netscreen.c in Wireshark 0.99.7 through 1.0.5 allows user-assisted remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via a malformed NetScreen snoop file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/04/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2009-0599 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within Wireshark's packet capture and analysis software. This issue specifically affects the wiretap/netscreen.c component which handles NetScreen snoop file format parsing. The vulnerability exists in Wireshark versions ranging from 0.99.7 through 1.0.5, making it a significant concern for users operating within this software version range. The flaw manifests when the application processes malformed NetScreen snoop files, which are typically used for network monitoring and security analysis by organizations using NetScreen firewalls. The buffer overflow occurs during the parsing of these specific file formats, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to exploit the software's handling of untrusted input data.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it firmly within CWE-121, which describes buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. In the context of Wireshark, this buffer overflow occurs when the application attempts to read or process a malformed snoop file without proper validation of the input data structure. The flaw enables attackers to craft specially crafted NetScreen snoop files that, when opened by Wireshark, trigger memory corruption leading to application instability. The exploitation requires user assistance, meaning that the victim must actively open the malicious file, but this still represents a significant security risk as it can be delivered through various social engineering vectors such as email attachments or compromised websites. The vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script interpreter, as the crash can be triggered through the application's normal file processing workflows.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, as it can be leveraged to disrupt network monitoring operations and potentially provide a foothold for more sophisticated attacks. Organizations relying on Wireshark for network security analysis and forensic investigations face significant risk when operating vulnerable versions, as attackers could use this vulnerability to compromise the integrity of network analysis tools. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of Wireshark's wiretap module, which is responsible for reading various network capture file formats, making it a critical component for the application's overall security posture. When exploited, this buffer overflow can cause the application to crash or behave unpredictably, potentially leading to loss of network monitoring data and disruption of security operations. The vulnerability also represents a potential vector for privilege escalation or information disclosure if attackers can leverage the memory corruption to execute arbitrary code within the application context, although the primary impact remains denial of service.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-0599 should focus on immediate software updates to versions that contain the necessary patches and fixes. Users should upgrade to Wireshark versions 1.0.6 or later, which contain the appropriate memory validation fixes for the NetScreen snoop file parser. Network administrators should implement strict file validation procedures and consider quarantining or scanning any NetScreen snoop files received from untrusted sources before opening them in Wireshark. The vulnerability highlights the importance of input validation and bounds checking in network security tools, as these applications often process untrusted data from network traffic and file formats. Security teams should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of vulnerable systems and reduce the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Regular vulnerability assessments and security updates should be prioritized for all network monitoring and analysis tools to prevent similar issues from affecting operational security infrastructure. Organizations should also maintain awareness of the ATT&CK framework implications, particularly regarding defensive measures against file-based attack vectors and the importance of maintaining up-to-date security tooling to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.