CVE-2012-1593 in Wireshark
Summary
by MITRE
epan/dissectors/packet-ansi_a.c in the ANSI A dissector in Wireshark 1.4.x before 1.4.12 and 1.6.x before 1.6.6 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference and application crash) via a malformed packet.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/28/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-1593 affects the ANSI A dissector component within Wireshark network protocol analyzer software. This specific flaw exists in the packet-ansi_a.c file which handles the dissection of ANSI A protocol packets used in various telecommunications and industrial control systems. The vulnerability manifests as a NULL pointer dereference condition that occurs when processing malformed or specially crafted packets. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of improper input validation where the software fails to properly handle unexpected packet structures, leading to application instability and potential system crashes. The affected versions include Wireshark 1.4.x series before 1.4.12 and 1.6.x series before 1.6.6, representing a significant portion of the software's user base during that time period. The vulnerability represents a classic denial of service attack vector that can be exploited by remote attackers without requiring authentication or special privileges, making it particularly concerning for network monitoring environments where Wireshark is commonly deployed.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate error handling within the ANSI A dissector module. When Wireshark processes network traffic containing malformed ANSI A protocol packets, the dissector function fails to properly validate pointer references before dereferencing them. This NULL pointer dereference occurs during the packet analysis phase where the software attempts to dissect and present detailed information about the network traffic. The flaw specifically affects how the software handles certain packet structures that do not conform to the expected ANSI A protocol format, causing the application to crash when it attempts to access memory locations that have not been properly initialized. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-476 which describes NULL pointer dereference conditions that can lead to application crashes and potential information disclosure. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that Wireshark is frequently used in network monitoring and security analysis environments where continuous operation is critical for network visibility and incident response activities.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-1593 extends beyond simple application instability to potentially disrupt critical network monitoring operations and security analysis workflows. In enterprise environments where Wireshark serves as a primary tool for network traffic analysis, a remote attacker could exploit this vulnerability to cause service interruption by sending malicious packets to network monitoring systems. This denial of service condition could occur during security audits, network troubleshooting sessions, or continuous monitoring operations, potentially masking actual network threats or preventing security analysts from performing their duties effectively. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not need physical access to the network monitoring system, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that rely on Wireshark for security operations. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques involving denial of service and application layer attacks, potentially enabling adversaries to disrupt network visibility capabilities that are essential for threat detection and response activities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-1593 primarily focus on immediate software updates and operational security measures. The most effective solution involves upgrading to Wireshark versions 1.4.12 or 1.6.6 and later, which contain patches that properly handle malformed ANSI A protocol packets and prevent NULL pointer dereference conditions. Network administrators should implement regular patch management procedures to ensure all instances of Wireshark are updated promptly. Additionally, network monitoring environments can employ defensive measures such as implementing packet filtering rules to prevent suspicious or malformed packets from reaching Wireshark analysis systems. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of critical monitoring systems to untrusted network traffic. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of proper input validation and error handling in network analysis tools, particularly those handling diverse and potentially malicious network traffic. Security teams should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can detect and alert on anomalous packet patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts targeting similar vulnerabilities in network analysis software.