CVE-2012-0043 in Wireshark
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the reassemble_message function in epan/dissectors/packet-rlc.c in the RLC dissector in Wireshark 1.4.x before 1.4.11 and 1.6.x before 1.6.5 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via a series of fragmented RLC packets.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/01/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-0043 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Radio Link Control (RLC) dissector component of Wireshark, specifically affecting versions 1.4.x prior to 1.4.11 and 1.6.x prior to 1.6.5. This issue resides in the reassemble_message function located within epan/dissectors/packet-rlc.c, which is responsible for processing fragmented RLC packets in wireless communication protocol analysis. The buffer overflow occurs when the dissector fails to properly validate the size of incoming fragmented packets, allowing maliciously crafted packet sequences to exceed allocated buffer boundaries and overwrite adjacent memory regions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages the improper handling of fragmented RLC protocol packets during the packet reassembly process. When Wireshark encounters a series of fragmented RLC packets, the reassemble_message function attempts to reconstruct the original message without adequate bounds checking on the packet data length. This flaw falls under CWE-121, which categorizes buffer overflow conditions where insufficient space is allocated for data, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter usage in exploitation scenarios. The vulnerability specifically manifests when attackers send carefully constructed sequences of fragmented RLC packets that trigger memory corruption during the packet reassembly phase.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-0043 extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially enable remote code execution, making it particularly dangerous for network security analysts and forensic investigators who rely on Wireshark for protocol analysis. When successfully exploited, the buffer overflow can cause Wireshark to crash and terminate unexpectedly, disrupting network monitoring operations and potentially leading to complete application failure. In more severe cases, the memory corruption may allow attackers to inject and execute arbitrary code within the context of the Wireshark process, potentially compromising the host system. This vulnerability affects the core functionality of Wireshark's protocol analysis capabilities, particularly in environments where wireless network traffic analysis is critical for security monitoring and incident response activities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-0043 focus primarily on immediate software updates to patched versions of Wireshark, specifically versions 1.4.11 and 1.6.5 respectively, which contain proper bounds checking and memory validation mechanisms. Network administrators should prioritize updating their Wireshark installations to prevent exploitation, as the vulnerability is particularly concerning given that Wireshark is widely used in security operations centers and forensic analysis environments. Additional defensive measures include implementing network segmentation to limit exposure to potentially malicious traffic, deploying network intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious fragmented packet patterns, and conducting regular security assessments of network monitoring tools. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of input validation and bounds checking in protocol dissector implementations, aligning with security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines for software development and network security operations.