CVE-2013-4922 in Wireshark
Summary
by MITRE
Double free vulnerability in the dissect_dcom_ActivationProperties function in epan/dissectors/packet-dcom-sysact.c in the DCOM ISystemActivator dissector in Wireshark 1.10.x before 1.10.1 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-2013-4922 represents a critical double free error within the DCOM ISystemActivator dissector component of Wireshark, specifically in the dissect_dcom_ActivationProperties function located in epan/dissectors/packet-dcom-sysact.c. This flaw exists in Wireshark versions 1.10.x prior to 1.10.1, creating a significant security risk that can be exploited remotely by malicious actors. The double free vulnerability occurs when the application attempts to free the same memory block twice, which can lead to unpredictable behavior and system instability. The affected dissector processes DCOM (Distributed Component Object Model) activation properties within network packets, making it a critical component for network traffic analysis and forensic investigations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management within the packet dissection logic. When Wireshark processes a crafted DCOM packet containing malformed activation properties, the dissect_dcom_ActivationProperties function fails to properly handle memory allocation and deallocation sequences. This results in the same memory pointer being passed to the free() function twice during the packet processing cycle. The underlying issue demonstrates poor defensive programming practices and inadequate input validation, which are commonly associated with CWE-415 and CWE-416 vulnerability categories. These classifications specifically address double free conditions and memory management errors that can lead to arbitrary code execution or denial of service conditions.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-4922 extends beyond simple application crashes, as it can be leveraged by remote attackers to disrupt network monitoring and analysis operations. Network security professionals who rely on Wireshark for traffic inspection and incident response activities face potential service interruptions when encountering maliciously crafted packets. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of Wireshark's packet analysis capabilities, potentially causing complete application failure and requiring manual intervention to restore normal operations. This disruption can significantly impact network forensic investigations, security monitoring, and real-time traffic analysis processes that depend on stable packet dissection. The attack vector requires only the transmission of a specially crafted DCOM packet to the target system running the vulnerable Wireshark version, making it particularly dangerous in network environments where automated packet capture occurs.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on immediate version updates and network segmentation. The most effective remediation involves upgrading to Wireshark 1.10.1 or later versions where the double free condition has been properly addressed through corrected memory management routines. Network administrators should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all instances of Wireshark across their infrastructure are updated promptly. Additionally, implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect and filter malformed DCOM traffic may provide temporary protection while updates are deployed. From a defensive perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for application layer protocol manipulation and T1499.004 for network denial of service attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing network access controls and traffic filtering rules to limit exposure to potentially malicious packet streams, particularly in environments where Wireshark is used for network monitoring and analysis.