CVE-2015-8736 in Wireshark
Summary
by MITRE
The mp2t_find_next_pcr function in wiretap/mp2t.c in the MP2T file parser in Wireshark 2.0.x before 2.0.1 does not reserve memory for a trailer, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (stack-based buffer overflow and application crash) via a crafted file.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/24/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-8736 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within Wireshark's MP2T file parser component. This issue specifically affects versions 2.0.x prior to 2.0.1 and stems from inadequate memory management during the processing of MPEG-2 Transport Stream files. The mp2t_find_next_pcr function fails to properly allocate sufficient memory buffer space to accommodate potential trailing data structures, creating a condition where maliciously crafted input can overwrite adjacent memory segments on the stack.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic buffer overflow pattern where the parser assumes a fixed memory layout without accounting for variable trailer data that may be present in MP2T files. When processing a specially crafted file, the function attempts to read beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, causing unpredictable memory corruption that ultimately leads to application instability and termination. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is classified as a fundamental memory safety issue that has been consistently exploited in network security contexts.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to network security analysts and forensic investigators who rely on Wireshark for packet analysis. The remote exploitation capability means that an attacker could potentially deliver a malicious MP2T file through various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or network shares. When a victim opens such a file within Wireshark, the application crashes immediately, resulting in a denial of service that prevents legitimate network analysis activities. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where Wireshark is used for continuous network monitoring or incident response activities.
The attack surface for this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, as it represents a potential entry point for more sophisticated attacks that could leverage the memory corruption for privilege escalation or code execution. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1203 Exploitation for Client Execution, where attackers exploit software vulnerabilities to execute malicious code on target systems. Organizations using Wireshark for network security operations should consider this vulnerability as a critical threat that could be exploited by adversaries to disrupt network monitoring capabilities and potentially gain unauthorized access to network analysis environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-8736 primarily focus on immediate version updates to Wireshark 2.0.1 or later, which contain the necessary memory allocation fixes. Network administrators should also implement file validation procedures for MP2T files received from untrusted sources, particularly in environments where automatic file opening occurs. Additional protective measures include restricting Wireshark execution privileges, implementing network segmentation to limit exposure, and maintaining regular security updates for all network analysis tools. The vulnerability underscores the importance of robust memory management practices in network security applications and highlights the critical need for comprehensive input validation in file parsing components to prevent similar issues from emerging in other network analysis tools.