CVE-2012-4288 in Wireshark
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in the dissect_xtp_ecntl function in epan/dissectors/packet-xtp.c in the XTP dissector in Wireshark 1.4.x before 1.4.15, 1.6.x before 1.6.10, and 1.8.x before 1.8.2 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (loop or application crash) via a large value for a span length.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/27/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-4288 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within the XTP dissector component of Wireshark, a widely-used network protocol analyzer. This vulnerability specifically affects versions 1.4.x prior to 1.4.15, 1.6.x prior to 1.6.10, and 1.8.x prior to 1.8.2, creating a significant risk for network security professionals who rely on Wireshark for network traffic analysis. The flaw manifests in the dissect_xtp_ecntl function located in epan/dissectors/packet-xtp.c, where improper handling of span length values can lead to unpredictable system behavior.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the XTP protocol dissector module. When processing network packets containing XTP (Xtreme Transfer Protocol) traffic, the dissect_xtp_ecntl function fails to properly validate the span length parameter, allowing maliciously crafted packets with excessively large span values to trigger integer overflow conditions. This overflow occurs when the software attempts to perform arithmetic operations on integer variables that exceed their maximum representable values, causing the program to behave erratically and potentially enter infinite loops or crash entirely. The vulnerability operates at the protocol parsing layer, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through normal network traffic analysis operations.
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 the availability of network analysis systems. When exploited, the integer overflow can cause Wireshark to enter an infinite loop or crash completely, rendering the network monitoring capabilities ineffective and potentially requiring system restarts. This disruption can be particularly problematic in enterprise environments where continuous network monitoring is essential for security operations and incident response. The vulnerability affects both the stability and reliability of network analysis tools, which are fundamental components of cybersecurity infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-4288 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Wireshark installations to versions 1.4.15, 1.6.10, or 1.8.2, which contain the necessary code modifications to properly validate span length parameters. Network administrators should implement network segmentation and monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts, while also considering temporary network isolation of critical monitoring systems during patch deployment. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of how protocol parsing flaws can lead to remote code execution or denial of service scenarios. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving protocol analysis tool manipulation and denial of service attacks, emphasizing the importance of maintaining up-to-date security tools and implementing proper input validation across all network analysis components.