CVE-2012-4295 in Wireshark
Summary
by MITRE
Array index error in the channelised_fill_sdh_g707_format function in epan/dissectors/packet-erf.c in the ERF dissector in Wireshark 1.8.x before 1.8.2 might allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via a crafted speed (aka rate) value.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-4295 represents a critical array index error within the ERF dissector component of Wireshark, specifically affecting versions 1.8.x prior to 1.8.2. This flaw resides in the channelised_fill_sdh_g707_format function located in epan/dissectors/packet-erf.c, which processes Enhanced Remote Frame (ERF) packets for network protocol analysis. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation when handling crafted speed values, which are used to specify the data rate of captured network traffic. When a remote attacker constructs a malicious ERF packet with an invalid or unexpected speed value, the dissector fails to properly bounds-check array indices, leading to potential memory corruption and application instability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a classic buffer over-read condition where the channelised_fill_sdh_g707_format function attempts to access array elements using an index derived from the malformed speed parameter without proper validation. This type of flaw falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-129, which specifically addresses insufficient bounds checking in array access operations. The function processes ERF packets that contain time-stamped network data from various network capture devices, and when it encounters a crafted speed value that exceeds expected boundaries, the subsequent array indexing operation triggers a memory access violation. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited remotely through network traffic capture, making it a significant threat to network monitoring systems that rely on Wireshark for protocol analysis.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, as it can potentially allow attackers to crash the entire Wireshark application or even cause system instability in environments where Wireshark is deployed as a network monitoring service. Network administrators and security analysts who use Wireshark for traffic analysis, intrusion detection, or forensic investigations face a substantial risk when operating vulnerable versions, as a single malicious packet could disrupt critical network monitoring operations. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires no special privileges or authentication, making it accessible to any remote attacker who can inject packets into the network segment being monitored. This vulnerability directly maps to the ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers network disruption through application or system crashes, and represents a significant threat to network infrastructure integrity.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-4295 primarily focus on immediate version updates to Wireshark 1.8.2 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the array bounds checking issue. Organizations should implement comprehensive network monitoring updates and ensure all network analysis tools are running patched versions to prevent exploitation. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit exposure to potentially malicious traffic, while implementing network intrusion detection systems that can identify and block malformed ERF packets. The vulnerability highlights the importance of robust input validation in network protocol dissectors and underscores the critical need for regular security updates in network analysis tools. Security teams should also consider implementing network traffic filtering rules that can identify and drop suspicious ERF packets based on malformed speed parameters, providing an additional layer of defense against this specific class of vulnerability.