CVE-2015-0564 in Wireshark
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer underflow in the ssl_decrypt_record function in epan/dissectors/packet-ssl-utils.c in Wireshark 1.10.x before 1.10.12 and 1.12.x before 1.12.3 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via a crafted packet that is improperly handled during decryption of an SSL session.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/02/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-0564 represents a critical buffer underflow condition within Wireshark's SSL decryption functionality, specifically affecting versions 1.10.x prior to 1.10.12 and 1.12.x prior to 1.12.3. This flaw resides in the ssl_decrypt_record function located in the epan/dissectors/packet-ssl-utils.c file, which forms a crucial component of Wireshark's protocol analysis capabilities. The buffer underflow occurs during the decryption process of SSL sessions, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered by analyzing malicious network traffic that appears legitimate to the application.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the ssl_decrypt_record function where the application fails to properly verify buffer boundaries during SSL record decryption operations. When Wireshark encounters a specially crafted packet designed to exploit this condition, the decryption routine attempts to access memory locations that fall outside the allocated buffer space, resulting in unpredictable behavior and ultimately application crash. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-129, which specifically addresses insufficient validation of length of input buffers, and more broadly aligns with CWE-119, concerning weaknesses in memory management that can lead to buffer overflows or underflows.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-0564 extends beyond simple denial of service, as it can be leveraged by remote attackers to disrupt network analysis operations and potentially compromise network monitoring capabilities. Network administrators who rely on Wireshark for security monitoring, troubleshooting, or forensic analysis may find their tools become unavailable when processing malicious traffic, creating operational gaps that could be exploited by attackers. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1499.001, which involves network disruption through application or system crashes, effectively rendering the monitoring infrastructure ineffective during attack scenarios.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected Wireshark installations to versions 1.10.12 or 1.12.3, which contain the necessary code modifications to properly validate buffer boundaries during SSL decryption operations. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and traffic filtering to prevent exposure to potentially malicious packets, while maintaining awareness of the vulnerability's potential for exploitation in automated attack scenarios. The fix implemented in the patched versions addresses the root cause by introducing proper boundary checks and input validation that prevent the buffer underflow condition from occurring during SSL session decryption processes, thereby restoring the application's stability and reliability in network analysis operations.