CVE-2013-4920 in Wireshark
Summary
by MITRE
The P1 dissector in Wireshark 1.10.x before 1.10.1 does not properly initialize a global variable, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via a crafted packet.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/20/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-4920 affects Wireshark versions 1.10.x before 1.10.1 and specifically targets the P1 dissector component within the network protocol analysis tool. This flaw represents a classic case of improper initialization of global variables, which fundamentally undermines the stability and reliability of the application. The P1 dissector is responsible for analyzing and interpreting packets belonging to the P1 protocol, commonly used in telecommunications and network monitoring contexts. When a maliciously crafted packet is processed by Wireshark, the uninitialized global variable leads to unpredictable behavior that can result in application instability.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from the failure to properly initialize a global variable within the P1 dissector module. This initialization error creates a scenario where the variable contains garbage data or undefined values from previous operations, causing the dissector to behave erratically when processing specific packet structures. The lack of proper variable initialization directly violates fundamental software development practices and can be classified under CWE-457, which addresses the use of uninitialized variables. When remote attackers send specially crafted packets that trigger the P1 dissector, the uninitialized variable causes memory corruption or invalid memory access patterns that ultimately lead to application crashes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, as it provides attackers with a reliable method to disrupt network analysis operations. Network administrators and security professionals who rely on Wireshark for traffic monitoring, troubleshooting, and security analysis face significant risks when this vulnerability exists in their environment. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries can exploit the vulnerability without requiring physical access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where Wireshark might be running on servers or workstations that process traffic from untrusted sources. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.001, which covers network denial of service attacks, and demonstrates how protocol analysis tools can themselves become targets for exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-4920 primarily involve updating to Wireshark version 1.10.1 or later, which contains the necessary patches to properly initialize the affected global variable. System administrators should also implement network monitoring to detect and block suspicious packet patterns that might trigger the vulnerability. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of systems running Wireshark to potentially malicious traffic. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper software initialization and the potential consequences of neglecting fundamental security practices in network analysis tools. Organizations should also establish robust patch management processes to ensure timely deployment of security updates and maintain awareness of similar vulnerabilities in other network analysis and security tools.