CVE-2012-6058 in Wireshark
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in the dissect_icmpv6 function in epan/dissectors/packet-icmpv6.c in the ICMPv6 dissector in Wireshark 1.6.x before 1.6.12 and 1.8.x before 1.8.4 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (infinite loop) via a crafted Number of Sources value.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/20/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2012-6058 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within Wireshark's ICMPv6 dissector component. This issue specifically affects versions 1.6.x prior to 1.6.12 and 1.8.x prior to 1.8.4, creating a potential avenue for remote attackers to disrupt network analysis operations through carefully crafted malicious packets. The flaw resides in the dissect_icmpv6 function located in epan/dissectors/packet-icmpv6.c, which processes Internet Control Message Protocol version 6 packets used for network diagnostics and IPv6 network troubleshooting.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of the Number of Sources field within ICMPv6 packets during packet dissection. When Wireshark encounters a malformed packet containing an excessively large Number of Sources value, the integer overflow causes the dissector to enter an infinite loop during packet processing. This occurs because the application fails to validate the input value against reasonable bounds before using it in loop conditions or memory allocation calculations. The overflow condition essentially causes the loop counter to wrap around to a very large positive value, resulting in an indefinite iteration that consumes system resources and prevents normal packet processing.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, as it can severely compromise network monitoring and analysis capabilities. Network administrators relying on Wireshark for troubleshooting, security analysis, or network performance monitoring could experience complete service disruption when processing malicious traffic. The infinite loop consumes CPU resources continuously, potentially leading to system instability or complete system hangs, particularly when multiple malicious packets are processed. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in network security operations centers where continuous packet analysis is essential, as it can render monitoring tools ineffective during critical security incidents.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected Wireshark installations to versions 1.6.12 or 1.8.4 and later. Network administrators should also implement network segmentation and traffic filtering to prevent malicious ICMPv6 packets from reaching critical monitoring systems. Additional defensive measures include configuring Wireshark with enhanced input validation settings and implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify and block malformed ICMPv6 traffic patterns. From a security framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, Integer Overflow or Wraparound, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation. Organizations should also consider implementing automated patch management systems to ensure timely deployment of security updates and maintain comprehensive network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts.