CVE-2014-6426 in Wireshark
Summary
by MITRE
The dissect_hip_tlv function in epan/dissectors/packet-hip.c in the HIP dissector in Wireshark 1.12.x before 1.12.1 does not properly handle a NULL tree, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (infinite loop) via a crafted packet.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/21/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2014-6426 represents a critical denial of service flaw within Wireshark's HIP (Host Identity Protocol) dissector component. This issue affects Wireshark versions 1.12.x prior to 1.12.1, where the dissect_hip_tlv function fails to properly validate the tree parameter during packet analysis. The HIP dissector is responsible for parsing and displaying Host Identity Protocol packets, which are used in network communications to separate IP addresses from host identities. When a maliciously crafted packet is processed by Wireshark, the function's improper handling of a NULL tree parameter creates a condition that can lead to an infinite loop during packet dissection, effectively crashing the application and rendering it unusable for network analysis purposes.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the dissect_hip_tlv function's failure to perform adequate null pointer checks before attempting to manipulate the tree structure used for displaying packet information in Wireshark's graphical interface. This flaw specifically manifests when the function receives a packet containing malformed HIP TLV (Type-Length-Value) structures that result in a NULL tree parameter being passed to subsequent processing functions. The absence of proper validation allows the dissector to enter an infinite loop state where it continuously processes the same packet data without making forward progress. This condition directly violates the expected behavior of network protocol dissectors and represents a classic example of improper error handling in network analysis tools, which can be classified under CWE-476 as "NULL Pointer Dereference" and CWE-691 as "Insufficient Control Flow Management".
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application crashes, as it can be exploited remotely by attackers who craft malicious HIP packets and transmit them to systems running vulnerable versions of Wireshark. Network administrators and security analysts who rely on Wireshark for network monitoring, troubleshooting, and security analysis face significant operational risks when this vulnerability is present. The infinite loop condition can consume excessive CPU resources and memory, potentially leading to system instability or complete service disruption. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where Wireshark is used continuously for network monitoring or during security incident response activities. The exploitability of this flaw means that any user who opens a specially crafted capture file containing the malicious packet will trigger the denial of service condition, making it a widespread threat to network analysis workflows.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-6426 involve immediate patching of affected Wireshark installations to version 1.12.1 or later, where the null tree handling has been corrected. Organizations should implement network monitoring to detect and block suspicious HIP traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The fix implemented by Wireshark developers addresses the core issue by adding proper null pointer validation before tree manipulation operations, ensuring that the dissector gracefully handles malformed packets rather than entering infinite loops. System administrators should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure to potentially malicious traffic, while maintaining regular updates to network analysis tools to protect against similar vulnerabilities. This vulnerability highlights the importance of robust input validation in network protocol analysis tools and demonstrates how seemingly minor flaws in dissector functions can lead to significant operational disruptions. The mitigation approach aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.001 for "Endpoint Denial of Service" and emphasizes the need for proper error handling in network security tools as outlined in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework for protecting critical infrastructure components.