CVE-2013-7114 in Wireshark
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple buffer overflows in the create_ntlmssp_v2_key function in epan/dissectors/packet-ntlmssp.c in the NTLMSSP v2 dissector in Wireshark 1.8.x before 1.8.12 and 1.10.x before 1.10.4 allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via a long domain name in a packet.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/18/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-7114 represents a critical buffer overflow issue within Wireshark's Network Security Protocol Security Provider (NTLMSSP) dissector implementation. This flaw exists in the create_ntlmssp_v2_key function located in epan/dissectors/packet-ntlmssp.c, affecting Wireshark versions 1.8.x prior to 1.8.12 and 1.10.x prior to 1.10.4. The vulnerability specifically targets the handling of domain names within NTLMSSP v2 authentication packets, creating a scenario where maliciously crafted network traffic can trigger memory corruption. The buffer overflow occurs when the dissector processes authentication packets containing excessively long domain names, causing the application to write beyond allocated memory boundaries. This fundamental memory safety issue demonstrates poor input validation and inadequate boundary checking within the protocol dissector component, aligning with CWE-121 which describes unsafe array indexing vulnerabilities.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to craft a network packet containing an NTLMSSP v2 authentication message with an abnormally long domain name field. When Wireshark processes such a packet through its NTLMSSP dissector, the create_ntlmssp_v2_key function fails to properly validate the length of the domain name parameter before attempting to copy it into a fixed-size buffer. This results in memory corruption that manifests as application instability and ultimately leads to a denial of service condition. The flaw operates at the protocol analysis layer of Wireshark, meaning that any user who captures and analyzes network traffic containing maliciously formatted NTLMSSP packets will be vulnerable to this attack. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning because it can be triggered remotely without requiring authentication or direct interaction with the vulnerable system.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-7114 extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially compromise network monitoring capabilities and security analysis workflows. Organizations that rely on Wireshark for network traffic analysis, intrusion detection, or security auditing may experience complete tool failure when processing malicious traffic, effectively removing their ability to monitor network activity. This vulnerability undermines the integrity of network forensic investigations and can be exploited by adversaries to disrupt security operations. The attack vector is particularly dangerous in environments where network administrators continuously monitor traffic flows, as a single malicious packet can cause the entire analysis session to crash. The vulnerability also impacts automated network monitoring systems that depend on Wireshark's dissector capabilities, potentially creating cascading failures in security infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-7114 focus primarily on immediate software updates and defensive network configurations. The most effective remediation involves upgrading to Wireshark versions 1.8.12 or 1.10.4, which contain patches that implement proper input validation and buffer size checking in the affected function. Network administrators should also implement traffic filtering rules that can identify and block suspicious NTLMSSP packets, particularly those with unusually long domain name fields. The vulnerability's characteristics align with ATT&CK technique T1070.004 which describes the use of application or system binaries to execute malicious code, as the buffer overflow can potentially be leveraged to execute arbitrary code. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and monitoring for unusual protocol behavior can help detect exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing network traffic analysis tools that can sanitize or filter problematic packets before they reach Wireshark, providing an additional layer of defense against this specific class of vulnerability.