CVE-2015-2189 in Wireshark
Summary
by MITRE
Off-by-one error in the pcapng_read function in wiretap/pcapng.c in the pcapng file parser in Wireshark 1.10.x before 1.10.13 and 1.12.x before 1.12.4 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds read and application crash) via an invalid Interface Statistics Block (ISB) interface ID in a crafted packet.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/11/2022
The vulnerability CVE-2015-2189 represents a critical off-by-one error within the pcapng file parser of Wireshark, specifically in the pcapng_read function located in wiretap/pcapng.c. This flaw affects Wireshark versions 1.10.x prior to 1.10.13 and 1.12.x prior to 1.12.4, making it a significant security concern for network analysts and security professionals who rely on Wireshark for packet analysis. The vulnerability stems from improper validation of Interface Statistics Block (ISB) interface IDs during file parsing operations, creating a condition where an attacker can craft malicious pcapng files that trigger unexpected behavior in the application.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves an off-by-one error that occurs when processing Interface Statistics Blocks within pcapng files. When the pcapng_read function encounters an invalid ISB interface ID, it fails to properly bounds-check array accesses, leading to an out-of-bounds read condition. This memory access violation occurs because the parser does not adequately validate the interface ID value against expected ranges or boundaries before using it as an array index or loop counter. The flaw is classified as CWE-129, which specifically addresses "Improper Validation of Array Index," and represents a classic example of how insufficient input validation can lead to memory corruption vulnerabilities. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through crafted pcapng files that are commonly used in network forensics and packet analysis workflows.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-2189 extends beyond simple denial of service, as it can lead to complete application crashes and potential system instability. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability by preparing specially crafted pcapng files containing malformed ISB interface IDs, which when opened by Wireshark will trigger the out-of-bounds read condition. This results in the application crashing and terminating unexpectedly, effectively providing a denial of service attack against network analysis systems. The vulnerability is categorized under ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: Python" and T1499.004 for "Toggle File Execution Flags" due to the potential for exploitation through file manipulation attacks, though the actual exploitation vector involves the pcapng file format rather than scripting. The vulnerability affects both the core packet analysis functionality and the broader network security monitoring capabilities that depend on Wireshark's reliability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-2189 focus primarily on immediate software updates and deployment of patched versions of Wireshark. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to Wireshark versions 1.10.13 or 1.12.4 and later, which contain the necessary code fixes to properly validate ISB interface IDs and prevent out-of-bounds memory access. Additionally, network security teams should implement file validation procedures for pcapng files received from untrusted sources, including automated scanning for malformed packet captures and implementing sandboxed environments for suspicious file analysis. The vulnerability highlights the importance of robust input validation in network security tools, particularly those handling file formats that may contain untrusted data from external sources. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual Wireshark crash patterns and implementation of network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify and block malicious pcapng file transfers, as the vulnerability represents a common attack vector in network security analysis environments where file handling is a core functionality.