CVE-2011-3483 in Wireshark
Summary
by MITRE
Wireshark 1.6.x before 1.6.2 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via a malformed capture file that leads to an invalid root tvbuff, related to a "buffer exception handling vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/17/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3483 represents a critical buffer exception handling flaw within Wireshark version 1.6.x prior to 1.6.2. This issue manifests when the network protocol analyzer processes malformed capture files that contain invalid root tvbuff structures, leading to application instability and potential system crashes. The vulnerability resides in the core packet analysis engine where Wireshark attempts to parse and interpret network traffic data, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through routine network monitoring activities.
This flaw operates as a classic buffer overflow condition that occurs during the handling of malformed data structures within the tvbuff (temporary buffer) management system. When Wireshark encounters a capture file containing corrupted or improperly formatted data, the application's exception handling mechanisms fail to properly manage the invalid buffer references, resulting in a segmentation fault or application crash. The vulnerability specifically targets the tvbuff subsystem which is fundamental to Wireshark's ability to store and process packet data during analysis operations, making it a critical component of the application's stability.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-3483 extends beyond simple denial of service, as it can be exploited by remote attackers to disrupt network monitoring operations and potentially gain unauthorized access to systems running vulnerable versions of Wireshark. Network administrators who rely on Wireshark for traffic analysis and security monitoring face significant risks when using affected versions, as malicious actors could craft specially designed capture files to crash monitoring systems and create opportunities for further exploitation. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of buffer limits, and demonstrates the importance of robust input validation in network analysis tools.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1059 for execution through malformed files and T1499 for disruption of services. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that Wireshark is widely used in enterprise security environments for network traffic analysis, forensic investigations, and protocol debugging. Organizations utilizing vulnerable versions face potential business disruption when network monitoring systems become unavailable, and the vulnerability could be leveraged as part of broader attack campaigns targeting network infrastructure.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves immediate deployment of Wireshark version 1.6.2 or later, which includes patched buffer handling routines that properly validate tvbuff structures and prevent invalid memory access conditions. Additionally, network security teams should implement capture file validation procedures, particularly when processing files from untrusted sources, and consider implementing network segmentation to limit exposure to potentially malicious capture files. System administrators should also monitor for unusual application crashes and implement automated alerting for service disruptions that could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining current security patches in network analysis tools and the potential consequences of running outdated software in security-sensitive environments.