CVE-2011-3484 in Wireshark
Summary
by MITRE
The unxorFrame function in epan/dissectors/packet-opensafety.c in the OpenSafety dissector in Wireshark 1.6.x before 1.6.2 does not properly validate a certain frame size, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (loop and application crash) via a malformed packet.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/20/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2011-3484 resides within the OpenSafety dissector component of Wireshark, specifically in the unxorFrame function located at epan/dissectors/packet-opensafety.c. This issue affects Wireshark versions 1.6.x prior to 1.6.2, representing a critical flaw in the network protocol analysis tool's packet parsing capabilities. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly verify frame size parameters during packet processing, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the software's parsing logic.
The technical flaw manifests when the unxorFrame function processes malformed OpenSafety protocol packets without sufficient validation of frame size parameters. This improper validation allows attackers to craft specially designed packets that, when processed by Wireshark, trigger an infinite loop or cause the application to crash. The vulnerability operates at the protocol dissector level, where Wireshark's packet analysis engine attempts to parse and display network traffic, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited during normal network monitoring activities. The lack of proper bounds checking on frame size parameters creates a condition where the dissector enters an uncontrolled loop, consuming excessive CPU resources and ultimately leading to application termination.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, as it can be leveraged by remote attackers to disrupt network monitoring operations and potentially compromise network analysis capabilities. When exploited, the vulnerability causes Wireshark to enter an infinite loop or crash entirely, rendering the network monitoring tool ineffective during critical analysis periods. This disruption can be particularly damaging in enterprise environments where Wireshark is used for network troubleshooting, security analysis, and protocol debugging. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability means that attackers can trigger the denial of service condition without requiring physical access to the target system, making it a significant threat to network security operations that rely on continuous monitoring.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-3484 primarily involve upgrading to Wireshark version 1.6.2 or later, which includes the necessary patches to address the improper frame size validation. Network administrators should also implement additional monitoring to detect unusual CPU utilization patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which describes improper validation of array index or buffer length, and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1499.002 for network denial of service attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure to potentially malicious traffic that could exploit this vulnerability during normal network analysis operations.