CVE-2014-6429 in Wireshark
Summary
by MITRE
The SnifferDecompress function in wiretap/ngsniffer.c in the DOS Sniffer file parser in Wireshark 1.10.x before 1.10.10 and 1.12.x before 1.12.1 does not properly handle empty input data, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via a crafted file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/21/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-6429 represents a critical denial of service flaw within Wireshark's network protocol analysis software, specifically affecting the DOS Sniffer file parser component. This issue resides in the SnifferDecompress function located in wiretap/ngsniffer.c, where the software fails to properly validate input data before processing. The vulnerability manifests when the function encounters empty or malformed input data during decompression operations, creating a scenario where legitimate network analysis activities can be disrupted through maliciously crafted input files. The affected versions include Wireshark 1.10.x prior to 1.10.10 and 1.12.x prior to 1.12.1, representing a significant portion of the software's user base during that period.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through remote attacker-controlled input files that contain empty or improperly formatted data structures. When Wireshark attempts to parse these malicious files using the SnifferDecompress function, the lack of proper input validation leads to memory corruption or null pointer dereference conditions. This flaw aligns with CWE-476, which describes NULL Pointer Dereference, and represents a classic example of improper input validation that can lead to application instability. The function's failure to handle edge cases such as empty input data creates a predictable crash scenario that remote attackers can reliably exploit without requiring any special privileges or authentication.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise network analysis workflows and security monitoring operations. Organizations relying on Wireshark for network traffic analysis, incident response, and security auditing could experience complete application crashes when processing maliciously crafted files, leading to loss of critical network visibility. This vulnerability particularly affects network security professionals who may unknowingly open suspicious files during forensic analysis or malware investigation, creating a vector for attackers to disrupt security operations. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers can deliver malicious files via email attachments, file sharing systems, or network-based attack vectors without requiring local access to the target system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-6429 primarily focus on immediate software updates and defensive measures. Users should immediately upgrade to Wireshark versions 1.10.10 or 1.12.1, which contain patches specifically addressing the input validation issues in the SnifferDecompress function. Network security teams should implement file validation procedures that prevent untrusted files from being processed by Wireshark, including the use of file type checking and sandboxing techniques. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and access controls can limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1489 which covers Disabling Security Tools, and represents a classic example of how input validation flaws can be leveraged to create denial of service conditions that compromise system availability and operational security.