CVE-2015-3815 in Wireshark
Summary
by MITRE
The detect_version function in wiretap/logcat.c in the Android Logcat file parser in Wireshark 1.12.x before 1.12.5 does not check the length of the payload, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds read and application crash) via a packet with a crafted payload, as demonstrated by a length of zero, a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-3906.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/17/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-3815 represents a critical buffer over-read flaw within Wireshark's Android Logcat file parser component. This issue resides in the detect_version function located in wiretap/logcat.c within the Wireshark 1.12.x series before version 1.12.5. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation where the function fails to properly verify the length of incoming packet payloads during the parsing process. This oversight creates a condition where remote attackers can exploit the parser by crafting malicious packets with specifically manipulated payload lengths, leading to unpredictable application behavior and system instability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic out-of-bounds read condition that occurs when the parser attempts to access memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. When a packet with a crafted payload is processed, particularly one with a length of zero or other malformed values, the detect_version function proceeds without proper bounds checking. This allows the application to read memory beyond the intended data structure, causing memory corruption that ultimately results in application crashes and denial of service conditions. The vulnerability specifically affects the wiretap/logcat.c module which handles Android Logcat file format parsing, making it particularly dangerous in environments where Android network traffic analysis is performed.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to network security analysts and forensic investigators who rely on Wireshark for traffic analysis. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers can potentially compromise analysis systems without requiring local access or elevated privileges. The denial of service impact extends beyond simple application crashes, as the instability can affect the entire network monitoring infrastructure. This vulnerability directly aligns with CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of length of input data, and falls under the ATT&CK technique T1499.1 for Network Denial of Service. The flaw can be exploited by attackers to disrupt network monitoring operations, potentially masking their malicious activities or preventing legitimate security analysis from occurring.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2015-3815 requires immediate patching of affected Wireshark installations to version 1.12.5 or later, which contains the necessary bounds checking fixes. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and monitoring to detect anomalous packet patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should consider deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify malformed Android Logcat traffic patterns and establish proper access controls for Wireshark usage environments. Additionally, regular vulnerability assessments should be conducted to ensure that all network analysis tools remain up-to-date with the latest security patches, as this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in network protocol parsers. The flaw serves as a reminder of the critical need for robust buffer management and input validation in network analysis tools that process diverse and potentially malicious data formats.