CVE-2014-8714 in Communications WebRTC Session Controller
Summary
by MITRE
The dissect_write_structured_field function in epan/dissectors/packet-tn5250.c in the TN5250 dissector in Wireshark 1.10.x before 1.10.11 and 1.12.x before 1.12.2 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (infinite loop) via a crafted packet.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/04/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-8714 represents a critical denial of service flaw within Wireshark's TN5250 dissector component. This issue affects versions of Wireshark prior to 1.10.11 and 1.12.2, specifically targeting the dissect_write_structured_field function located in epan/dissectors/packet-tn5250.c. The TN5250 protocol is used for communication with IBM 5250 terminal emulators, commonly found in enterprise environments where mainframe systems are integrated with modern network infrastructure. The flaw manifests when the dissector processes specially crafted packets that trigger an infinite loop condition during packet analysis, effectively rendering the network traffic analysis tool unusable for the duration of the attack.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the dissect_write_structured_field function, which is responsible for parsing structured field data in TN5250 protocol packets. When a maliciously constructed packet is processed, the function enters an infinite loop due to improper boundary checking and loop termination conditions. This particular flaw aligns with CWE-835, which specifically addresses infinite loops in software implementations where loop termination conditions are not properly validated. The vulnerability operates at the protocol dissector level, meaning it exploits the core functionality that allows Wireshark to interpret and display network traffic in human-readable formats, making it particularly dangerous for network security professionals who rely on the tool for monitoring and analysis.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can severely compromise network monitoring capabilities for organizations that depend on Wireshark for security operations and network troubleshooting. Attackers can exploit this weakness remotely by simply transmitting a specially crafted TN5250 packet to a target system running vulnerable Wireshark software, causing the application to enter an infinite loop and consume excessive CPU resources until manually terminated. This type of attack maps directly to the ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which involves network disruption through denial of service attacks, and represents a significant threat to network security operations centers where Wireshark is commonly deployed for real-time traffic analysis. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that even unauthenticated attackers can potentially disrupt network monitoring operations, making it a particularly concerning threat for enterprise environments.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately upgrade to Wireshark versions 1.10.11 or 1.12.2, which contain the necessary patches to address the infinite loop condition in the TN5250 dissector. The fix implemented in these versions involves proper boundary checking and loop termination validation within the dissect_write_structured_field function, preventing malicious packets from triggering the problematic code path. Security administrators should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure to potential attackers, while monitoring for suspicious packet patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should verify that their network monitoring infrastructure is resilient to such denial of service conditions and maintain backup analysis tools to ensure continuous network visibility during potential attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in protocol dissectors and highlights the critical nature of maintaining up-to-date security tools in enterprise environments.