CVE-2014-6432 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 prevent data overwrites during copy operations, 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-2014-6432 represents a critical buffer overread condition within Wireshark's network protocol analysis tool, specifically affecting the DOS Sniffer file parser component. This flaw exists in the SnifferDecompress function located in wiretap/ngsniffer.c, where the application fails to properly validate memory boundaries during data copy operations. The issue impacts Wireshark versions 1.10.x prior to 1.10.10 and 1.12.x prior to 1.12.1, creating a persistent security risk for users who process potentially malicious network capture files. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, which occurs when data is copied beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, leading to memory corruption and unpredictable application behavior.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves crafting a malicious DOS Sniffer file that triggers improper memory handling during decompression operations. When Wireshark attempts to parse such a file, the SnifferDecompress function performs copy operations without adequate bounds checking, allowing attacker-controlled data to overwrite adjacent memory locations. This memory corruption directly leads to application instability and ultimately results in a denial of service condition where the application crashes and becomes unavailable for legitimate network analysis tasks. The flaw operates at the protocol parsing layer, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through normal file processing activities without requiring special privileges or complex attack vectors.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for network security analysts and forensic investigators who rely on Wireshark for network traffic analysis. The remote attack vector means that an adversary could deliver a malicious capture file via email attachments, compromised websites, or file sharing platforms, potentially causing widespread disruption across organizations that use Wireshark for network monitoring and incident response. The denial of service impact extends beyond simple application crashes to potentially compromise network analysis workflows, as security teams may be unable to process critical network traffic for forensic analysis or security incident investigations. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for application execution and T1499.004 for network disruption, representing a significant threat to operational continuity in cybersecurity environments.
Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected Wireshark installations to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability. The remediation involves upgrading to Wireshark versions 1.10.10 or 1.12.1, which contain the necessary code modifications to properly validate buffer boundaries during copy operations. Additionally, network security teams should implement defensive measures such as file validation procedures for network capture files, particularly those received from untrusted sources. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory safety practices in network analysis tools, as highlighted by industry standards emphasizing secure coding practices. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure to potentially malicious network capture files, while maintaining regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar memory corruption issues in other network analysis tools and security infrastructure components.