CVE-2011-2175 in Wireshark
Summary
by MITRE
Integer underflow in the visual_read function in wiretap/visual.c in Wireshark 1.2.x before 1.2.17 and 1.4.x before 1.4.7 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via a malformed Visual Networks file that triggers a heap-based buffer over-read.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/08/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2011-2175 represents a critical security flaw in Wireshark's packet analysis capabilities, specifically within the visual_read function located in wiretap/visual.c. This issue affects Wireshark versions 1.2.x prior to 1.2.17 and 1.4.x prior to 1.4.7, creating a significant risk for network security professionals who rely on this tool for network traffic analysis. The vulnerability stems from an integer underflow condition that occurs when processing Visual Networks files, which are used to represent network topology and visual data within the application's interface.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves an integer underflow in the visual_read function where the application fails to properly validate input parameters from malformed Visual Networks files. When such files are processed, the integer underflow causes the application to calculate incorrect buffer sizes, leading to a heap-based buffer over-read condition. This occurs because the application attempts to read data from memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, typically resulting in memory corruption that crashes the application. The flaw specifically manifests when the visual_read function encounters malformed input data that triggers the underflow condition, causing subsequent memory access violations during the file processing routine.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a remote denial of service scenario that can be exploited by attackers who craft malicious Visual Networks files. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption as it can compromise the integrity of network analysis workflows where Wireshark is employed for critical network monitoring and troubleshooting activities. Security analysts and network administrators who depend on Wireshark for network traffic inspection face potential operational disruptions when encountering such malformed files, which could be delivered through various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or network transfers. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require local access to the system, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where network analysis tools are widely deployed.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-191, which specifically addresses integer underflow conditions, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with the attack pattern described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1499 for network denial of service attacks. Organizations using affected Wireshark versions face potential exposure to this vulnerability through various attack surfaces including network file transfers, email attachments, and web-based delivery mechanisms. The flaw represents a classic example of memory safety issues that can be exploited to cause application instability and service disruption, emphasizing the critical importance of input validation in security-sensitive applications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected Wireshark installations to versions 1.2.17 or 1.4.7 and later, which contain the necessary code fixes to prevent the integer underflow condition. Network administrators should implement additional safeguards such as file type validation and content scanning for Visual Networks files before processing them within the Wireshark environment. The vulnerability highlights the necessity of robust input validation and memory safety practices in network analysis tools, particularly those handling external data formats. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual memory access patterns and application crash events that could indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure to potentially malicious file deliveries while maintaining the operational integrity of their network monitoring infrastructure.