CVE-2015-6248 in Wireshark
Summary
by MITRE
The ptvcursor_add function in the ptvcursor implementation in epan/proto.c in Wireshark 1.12.x before 1.12.7 does not check whether the expected amount of data is available, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via a crafted packet.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/13/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-6248 resides within the ptvcursor_add function implementation in Wireshark's epan/proto.c file, affecting versions 1.12.x prior to 1.12.7. This flaw represents a classic buffer over-read condition that occurs when the application attempts to process packet data without proper validation of available buffer space. The issue manifests during the parsing of protocol trees where the ptvcursor_add function fails to verify that sufficient data exists within the packet buffer before attempting to read and process it, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged remotely.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which describes improper validation of array index or buffer bounds, and more specifically with CWE-125, which addresses out-of-bounds read conditions. The flaw operates at the protocol decoding layer of Wireshark where packet data is parsed and represented in the graphical user interface. When a maliciously crafted packet is processed, the function attempts to read beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, causing the application to crash and potentially leading to a denial of service condition that affects the entire network analysis session.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to network security professionals who rely on Wireshark for packet analysis and troubleshooting. Attackers can exploit this condition by constructing specially crafted packets that, when processed by the affected Wireshark versions, trigger the out-of-bounds read scenario. The impact extends beyond simple application instability, as it can be used to disrupt network monitoring operations, potentially allowing attackers to evade detection while simultaneously compromising the integrity of network analysis workflows. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where Wireshark is used for continuous network monitoring or during forensic analysis activities.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2015-6248 involves upgrading to Wireshark version 1.12.7 or later, which includes proper bounds checking within the ptvcursor_add function. Network administrators should also implement network segmentation and monitoring to detect unusual packet patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network access controls to limit exposure to potentially malicious traffic. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation in network analysis tools and highlights the need for comprehensive testing of protocol parsing functions. Security teams should also review their incident response procedures to ensure proper handling of application crashes and potential denial of service conditions. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date network analysis tools and implementing proper security controls around network monitoring systems. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1499, which covers network denial of service attacks, and T1566, which addresses credential access through network-based attacks, emphasizing the broader security implications of such flaws in network analysis tools.