CVE-2014-5164 in Wireshark
Summary
by MITRE
The rlc_decode_li function in epan/dissectors/packet-rlc.c in the RLC dissector in Wireshark 1.10.x before 1.10.9 initializes a certain structure member only after this member is used, 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 • 02/10/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-5164 represents a classic case of uninitialized memory access within the Wireshark network protocol analyzer software. This flaw exists specifically within the RLC dissector component responsible for parsing Radio Link Control protocol data, which is commonly used in wireless communications analysis. The issue manifests in Wireshark versions 1.10.x prior to 1.10.9, making it a significant concern for users who rely on these older versions for network traffic analysis and troubleshooting.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the rlc_decode_li function located in epan/dissectors/packet-rlc.c file. This function demonstrates a problematic pattern where a structure member is referenced and utilized before being properly initialized with a valid value. Such uninitialized memory access creates a condition where the application attempts to read from a memory location that contains arbitrary data, leading to unpredictable behavior. The specific nature of this flaw allows attackers to craft malicious packets that trigger this uninitialized memory access scenario during the packet decoding process, ultimately causing the Wireshark application to crash and terminate unexpectedly.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-5164 extends beyond simple application instability, as it enables remote attackers to execute a denial of service attack against systems running vulnerable versions of Wireshark. This vulnerability is particularly concerning in network monitoring and security analysis environments where Wireshark is commonly deployed for real-time packet capture and analysis. An attacker could potentially disrupt network monitoring operations by sending specially crafted packets that trigger the application crash, effectively preventing legitimate network analysis activities and potentially masking malicious network traffic. The remote nature of this attack means that systems could be compromised simply by processing malicious network traffic, without requiring any local interaction from the victim.
This vulnerability maps directly to CWE-457: "Use of Uninitialized Variable" which is a well-documented weakness in software development practices that leads to unpredictable behavior and potential security implications. From an adversarial perspective, this flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.002: "Endpoint Denial of Service" as it enables attackers to cause application crashes and system unavailability. The vulnerability also relates to T1566.002: "Phishing with Malicious Attachment" in scenarios where attackers might distribute malicious packet captures or network traffic files designed to crash Wireshark when opened. The remediation strategy for this vulnerability involves updating to Wireshark version 1.10.9 or later, which contains the necessary patches to properly initialize the affected structure member before its usage. Additionally, network administrators should implement proper network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure to potentially malicious traffic, while security teams should monitor for any signs of exploitation attempts in their network traffic logs.