CVE-2015-8737 in Wireshark
Summary
by MITRE
The mp2t_open function in wiretap/mp2t.c in the MP2T file parser in Wireshark 2.0.x before 2.0.1 does not validate the bit rate, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (divide-by-zero error and application crash) via a crafted file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/02/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-8737 resides within the MP2T file parser component of Wireshark, specifically in the mp2t_open function located in wiretap/mp2t.c. This flaw represents a classic input validation issue that affects versions 2.0.x prior to 2.0.1 of the popular network protocol analyzer. The vulnerability stems from the absence of proper bit rate validation during file parsing operations, creating a scenario where maliciously crafted MP2T files can trigger unexpected application behavior. The MP2T format is commonly used for MPEG-2 Transport Stream files, which are frequently encountered in network traffic analysis and digital media processing scenarios.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits a divide-by-zero error condition that occurs when the mp2t_open function attempts to process a malformed bit rate value in the MP2T file header. When the parser encounters a crafted file containing an invalid or zero bit rate value, the application fails to properly validate this critical parameter before proceeding with mathematical operations that require division by the bit rate value. This validation failure results in an arithmetic exception that crashes the Wireshark application entirely, effectively creating a denial of service condition. The flaw operates at the parsing layer of the application, where input data is processed without adequate sanitization or error handling mechanisms.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to network security professionals who rely on Wireshark for critical network analysis tasks. Attackers can remotely exploit this weakness by crafting specially designed MP2T files and enticing victims to open them within Wireshark, leading to application crashes that disrupt network monitoring operations. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption as it can compromise the integrity of ongoing network investigations, potentially causing analysts to miss critical security events. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where Wireshark is used in automated monitoring systems or where users may encounter untrusted network traffic containing maliciously crafted files.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-362, which addresses concurrent execution using shared resource vulnerabilities, and more specifically with CWE-399, which covers resource management errors. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for the execution of malicious files through protocol analysis tools, and T1499.004 for the disruption of services through application crashes. The attack surface is particularly broad given that Wireshark is widely deployed across enterprise networks, security operations centers, and by individual security professionals who may inadvertently open malicious files during routine analysis tasks. Organizations should consider implementing file validation policies and network segmentation to limit exposure, while also ensuring timely patch deployment to address this critical vulnerability that can be exploited without user interaction.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching of affected Wireshark installations to version 2.0.1 or later, which contains the necessary validation fixes for the bit rate parameter. Network administrators should also consider implementing file type filtering and sandboxing mechanisms for MP2T files encountered in network traffic, particularly when these files are not part of legitimate network monitoring workflows. Additionally, security awareness training for network analysts should emphasize the importance of not opening untrusted files in protocol analysis tools, and organizations should establish incident response procedures for handling potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in security-sensitive applications, particularly those that process potentially malicious network data, and serves as a reminder of the need for comprehensive testing and validation of file parsing components in network security tools.