CVE-2011-3266 in Wireshark
Summary
by MITRE
The proto_tree_add_item function in Wireshark 1.6.0 through 1.6.1 and 1.4.0 through 1.4.8, when the IKEv1 protocol dissector is used, allows user-assisted remote attackers to cause a denial of service (infinite loop) via vectors involving a malformed IKE packet and many items in a tree.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/28/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3266 represents a critical denial of service flaw within Wireshark's protocol analysis capabilities, specifically affecting versions 1.4.0 through 1.4.8 and 1.6.0 through 1.6.1. This issue resides in the proto_tree_add_item function which serves as a fundamental component for building protocol trees during packet dissection processes. The vulnerability manifests when the IKEv1 protocol dissector encounters malformed packets that contain numerous items within the protocol tree structure, creating a condition that leads to an infinite loop during processing. The flaw operates through a user-assisted remote attack vector, meaning that an attacker must convince a victim to process a specially crafted packet, typically through network traffic analysis or packet capture scenarios.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of protocol tree construction when malformed IKEv1 packets are processed. When the IKEv1 dissector encounters a packet with excessive or malformed tree items, the proto_tree_add_item function enters an infinite loop while attempting to traverse and construct the protocol tree representation. This occurs because the function fails to properly validate the structure of incoming packet data or implement adequate loop detection mechanisms during tree construction. The vulnerability specifically targets the IKEv1 protocol dissector which is used to analyze Internet Key Exchange version 1 packets, commonly employed in VPN connections and network security protocols. This flaw directly relates to CWE-835, which describes infinite loops or iterations without proper termination conditions, and represents a classic example of insufficient loop termination checking in protocol parsing code.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-3266 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise network monitoring and analysis capabilities. When exploited, this vulnerability can cause Wireshark to become unresponsive or consume excessive system resources, effectively rendering the network analysis tool unusable for legitimate traffic inspection tasks. Network administrators and security professionals who rely on Wireshark for troubleshooting, security analysis, or network monitoring would experience complete service interruption when processing affected packets. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where automated packet capture systems or continuous network monitoring is employed, as a single malicious packet could cause extended outages. This denial of service condition affects the availability of critical network analysis tools and can potentially be exploited to disrupt security operations or network troubleshooting activities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-3266 focus primarily on updating to patched versions of Wireshark where the vulnerability has been addressed through improved protocol tree handling and loop termination mechanisms. The most effective solution involves upgrading to Wireshark versions that contain the specific fixes for the IKEv1 dissector and proto_tree_add_item function. Network administrators should implement immediate patch management procedures to ensure all affected systems are updated. Additionally, implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect and filter malformed IKE packets can provide temporary protection while updates are deployed. Organizations should consider implementing network segmentation or access controls to limit exposure to potentially malicious packet traffic. From an operational security perspective, maintaining current software versions and implementing proper vulnerability management processes can prevent exploitation of similar issues. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1499 which covers network denial of service attacks, and T1595 which addresses network ingress tools and techniques that could be used to deliver the malicious packets. Proper input validation and robust error handling in protocol dissectors should be implemented as defensive measures to prevent similar infinite loop conditions in network analysis tools.