CVE-2012-1595 in Wireshark
Summary
by MITRE
The pcap_process_pseudo_header function in wiretap/pcap-common.c 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 (application crash) via a WTAP_ENCAP_ERF file containing an Extension or Multi-Channel header with an invalid pseudoheader size, related to the pcap and pcap-ng file parsers.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/22/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-1595 represents a critical denial of service flaw affecting Wireshark's packet capture analysis capabilities. This issue specifically targets the pcap_process_pseudo_header function located within the wiretap/pcap-common.c module of Wireshark's codebase. The vulnerability manifests when processing WTAP_ENCAP_ERF files that contain either Extension or Multi-Channel headers with malformed pseudoheader size values, creating a scenario where legitimate network analysis operations can be disrupted through carefully crafted malicious input.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the pcap and pcap-ng file parsers. When Wireshark encounters an ERF file with invalid pseudoheader size specifications, the pcap_process_pseudo_header function fails to properly handle these malformed inputs, leading to memory corruption or buffer overflow conditions that ultimately result in application termination. This flaw operates at the file parsing layer, meaning that any user who attempts to open or analyze a specially crafted ERF file containing these malformed headers will trigger the vulnerable code path. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be exploited remotely through malicious file delivery, requiring no privileged access or network interaction beyond the initial file opening.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to network security analysts and forensic investigators who rely on Wireshark for network traffic analysis. The denial of service condition can occur during routine operations when analysts open captured network data files, potentially disrupting ongoing investigations or security monitoring activities. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of Wireshark, specifically targeting releases 1.4.x before 1.4.12 and 1.6.x before 1.6.6, indicating that this was a widespread issue affecting a substantial portion of the user base during that timeframe. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it can be executed through simple file manipulation without requiring complex network interactions or exploitation of network protocols.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-125, indicating out-of-bounds read errors. The flaw also maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers the execution of malicious files through application loading mechanisms, as the vulnerability is triggered during normal application file processing operations. Additionally, the issue relates to ATT&CK technique T1499.004, covering network denial of service through application-level attacks. The vulnerability's classification as a remote denial of service indicates that attackers can exploit this flaw without physical access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where analysts frequently process network captures from various sources.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves immediate upgrading to Wireshark versions 1.4.12 or 1.6.6, which contain patches specifically addressing this vulnerability. System administrators should implement strict file validation procedures for network capture files, particularly those received from untrusted sources or external parties. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring to detect unusual file processing patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should conduct regular vulnerability assessments to ensure all network analysis tools remain current with security patches, as this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date network forensic capabilities. The patch for this vulnerability specifically addresses the input validation issues within the pcap and pcap-ng parsers, ensuring that malformed pseudoheader size values are properly handled without causing application crashes.