CVE-2015-8723 in Wireshark
Summary
by MITRE
The AirPDcapPacketProcess function in epan/crypt/airpdcap.c in the 802.11 dissector in Wireshark 1.12.x before 1.12.9 and 2.0.x before 2.0.1 does not validate the relationship between the total length and the capture length, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (stack-based buffer overflow and application crash) via a crafted packet.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/22/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-8723 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow in Wireshark's 802.11 dissector component, specifically within the AirPDcapPacketProcess function located in epan/crypt/airpdcap.c. This flaw affects Wireshark versions 1.12.x prior to 1.12.9 and 2.0.x prior to 2.0.1, creating a significant security risk for network analysts and security professionals who rely on Wireshark for packet analysis. The vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of packet header fields, particularly the relationship between total length and capture length parameters that are commonly found in 802.11 wireless frame headers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when Wireshark processes 802.11 packets that contain malformed or crafted header values. The AirPDcapPacketProcess function fails to properly validate that the total length field in the packet header does not exceed the capture length field, allowing attackers to manipulate these values in ways that cause memory corruption. When the dissector attempts to process such malformed packets, it allocates memory buffers based on the inflated total length values without proper bounds checking against the actual capture length, resulting in a stack-based buffer overflow condition. This overflow occurs because the function assumes that the total length field accurately represents the packet size, creating a scenario where more data is written to a buffer than it can accommodate.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, presenting a potential vector for more sophisticated attacks within network analysis environments. Remote attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious 802.11 packets with manipulated length fields and transmitting them to a victim running an affected version of Wireshark. Upon processing these packets, the application crashes due to the buffer overflow, effectively causing a denial of service that disrupts network monitoring and analysis operations. In environments where Wireshark is used for continuous network monitoring or forensic analysis, this vulnerability could be leveraged to interrupt critical security operations, potentially allowing attackers to evade detection or disrupt network security infrastructure. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which specifically addresses buffer overflows occurring in stack memory regions.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation in network protocol dissectors, which form the core of packet analysis tools like Wireshark. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a technique involving application or system exploitation, where adversaries manipulate software to achieve unauthorized behavior. The vulnerability also reflects broader concerns about the security of network analysis tools, as these applications often process untrusted network data from potentially malicious sources. Organizations using Wireshark for network monitoring, incident response, or penetration testing must consider this vulnerability as part of their security posture, particularly in environments where untrusted network traffic may be analyzed. The flaw underscores the necessity of proper bounds checking and input validation in cryptographic and protocol parsing components, as these areas are frequently targeted by attackers seeking to compromise network analysis infrastructure.
The remediation for this vulnerability requires updating to Wireshark versions 1.12.9 or 2.0.1 and later, which contain the necessary patches to validate the relationship between total length and capture length fields. Security practitioners should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure to potentially malicious packet traffic, while monitoring for signs of exploitation attempts. Organizations should consider implementing additional validation layers in their network monitoring infrastructure to detect and prevent malformed packet processing. The vulnerability highlights the critical need for continuous security updates and proper input validation in network protocol analysis tools, as these applications serve as fundamental components of network security infrastructure and are often targeted due to their privileged position in processing network traffic.