CVE-2013-4081 in Wireshark
Summary
by MITRE
The http_payload_subdissector function in epan/dissectors/packet-http.c in the HTTP dissector in Wireshark 1.6.x before 1.6.16 and 1.8.x before 1.8.8 does not properly determine when to use a recursive approach, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (stack consumption) via a crafted packet.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/14/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-4081 represents a critical stack consumption issue within Wireshark's HTTP protocol dissector component. This flaw exists in the http_payload_subdissector function located in epan/dissectors/packet-http.c, affecting Wireshark versions 1.6.x prior to 1.6.16 and 1.8.x prior to 1.8.8. The vulnerability stems from improper recursive function call handling when processing HTTP payloads, creating a scenario where maliciously crafted network packets can trigger excessive stack memory consumption. The flaw specifically manifests when the dissector fails to properly determine whether to employ a recursive approach during packet analysis, leading to uncontrolled stack growth that ultimately results in application crash or denial of service conditions.
This vulnerability operates at the protocol analysis layer of Wireshark, which functions as a network protocol analyzer used extensively by security professionals and network administrators for troubleshooting and security monitoring. The HTTP dissector component is responsible for parsing and displaying HTTP protocol data within captured network traffic, making it a critical element in network forensics and security analysis. When an attacker crafts a specially formatted HTTP packet that exploits this recursive call handling flaw, the dissector enters an infinite or deeply nested recursive loop that consumes available stack memory rapidly. This behavior directly violates the principle of resource management and can be classified as a stack-based buffer overflow condition, though specifically manifesting as a denial of service rather than arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-4081 extends beyond simple application instability, as it can severely compromise network monitoring capabilities and security operations. Network security analysts who rely on Wireshark for real-time traffic analysis and incident response may find their monitoring tools become unavailable when processing malicious traffic, potentially creating blind spots in network security coverage. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where automated network monitoring systems depend on Wireshark for traffic inspection, as a single malicious packet can bring down critical security infrastructure. This aligns with the ATT&CK framework's defense evasion techniques, specifically targeting the availability of security monitoring tools through resource exhaustion attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected Wireshark installations to versions 1.6.16 or 1.8.8 and later, which contain the necessary code modifications to properly handle recursive function calls within the HTTP dissector. Network administrators should also implement traffic filtering rules to prevent suspicious HTTP traffic from reaching systems running Wireshark, particularly in environments where untrusted network traffic is processed. The fix addresses the core issue by implementing proper recursion depth checking and limiting the recursive calls to prevent unbounded stack consumption. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure, as this vulnerability can be exploited remotely without authentication. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and resource management in protocol analysis tools, aligning with CWE-674 principles regarding uncontrolled recursion and excessive resource consumption in network security applications.