CVE-2015-8741 in Wireshark
Summary
by MITRE
The dissect_ppi function in epan/dissectors/packet-ppi.c in the PPI dissector in Wireshark 2.0.x before 2.0.1 does not initialize a packet-header data structure, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via a crafted packet.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/02/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2015-8741 resides within the PPI dissector component of Wireshark version 2.0.x prior to 2.0.1, specifically within the dissect_ppi function located in epan/dissectors/packet-ppi.c. This flaw represents a classic case of uninitialized memory access that can be exploited to cause application instability. The PPI dissector is responsible for parsing and interpreting Packet Protocol Interface (PPI) headers, which are commonly used in wireless network analysis to encapsulate metadata about captured packets. When Wireshark processes a malformed PPI packet, the dissect_ppi function fails to properly initialize essential packet-header data structures before attempting to access them, creating a scenario where the application may attempt to read from or write to uninitialized memory locations.
The technical execution of this vulnerability occurs when a remote attacker crafts a specially designed packet that contains malformed PPI headers. During packet processing, Wireshark's dissector attempts to parse the PPI structure without first initializing the associated packet-header data structure, leading to unpredictable behavior. This uninitialized data access can result in memory corruption, application crashes, or potentially more severe consequences depending on the specific memory layout and access patterns. The vulnerability is classified as a denial of service condition because it allows an attacker to remotely cause the Wireshark application to crash, effectively rendering the network analysis tool unusable for the affected user. This represents a critical weakness in the application's defensive mechanisms, as it demonstrates insufficient input validation and memory management practices within the protocol dissector framework.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-8741 extends beyond simple application instability, as it can significantly disrupt network monitoring and security analysis operations. Network administrators and security professionals who rely on Wireshark for troubleshooting network issues, analyzing traffic patterns, or conducting security assessments may find their tools unavailable when processing maliciously crafted packets. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where Wireshark is used in automated monitoring systems or where users may encounter untrusted network traffic. The remote exploitation capability means that an attacker does not need physical access to the system or network, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in networked environments where traffic analysis tools are commonly deployed. The flaw can be leveraged to deny service to legitimate users of the network analysis infrastructure, potentially compromising security monitoring capabilities and network visibility.
The remediation for this vulnerability involves upgrading to Wireshark version 2.0.1 or later, which includes the necessary fixes to properly initialize packet-header data structures within the dissect_ppi function. This update addresses the core issue by ensuring that all memory locations are properly initialized before access, thereby preventing the uninitialized memory access that leads to application crashes. Organizations should implement immediate patch management procedures to update all instances of Wireshark that are vulnerable to this issue. The fix aligns with security best practices outlined in the CWE (Common Weakness Enumeration) catalog under CWE-457, which addresses "Use of Uninitialized Variable" and represents a fundamental defensive programming principle. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability could be categorized under initial access or execution tactics, as it represents a method by which an attacker can compromise the availability of network monitoring tools, potentially leading to broader operational impacts in security operations centers where such tools are critical for network defense.