CVE-2016-2528 in Wireshark
Summary
by MITRE
The dissect_nhdr_extopt function in epan/dissectors/packet-lbmc.c in the LBMC dissector in Wireshark 2.0.x before 2.0.2 does not validate length values, 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 • 07/08/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-2528 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within the LBMC dissector component of Wireshark version 2.0.x before 2.0.2. This issue resides in the dissect_nhdr_extopt function located in epan/dissectors/packet-lbmc.c, where insufficient validation of length parameters creates a pathway for remote attackers to execute malicious payload delivery. The vulnerability stems from the dissector's failure to properly validate input data lengths, specifically when processing extended options within the Lightweight Bridge Management Console protocol. When a maliciously crafted packet is processed by Wireshark, the function attempts to copy data into a stack buffer without adequate bounds checking, leading to memory corruption that ultimately results in application instability and system crash.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of packet length fields within the LBMC protocol structure, where attackers can craft packets containing oversized or malformed length values. This allows the attacker to write beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, potentially overwriting adjacent stack memory locations and causing unpredictable behavior. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, representing a fundamental memory safety issue where the program writes beyond the bounds of a stack-allocated buffer. The attack vector requires only network access to deliver the malicious packet, making it particularly dangerous as it can be executed remotely without requiring local system access or authentication.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, as it can potentially be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks within network monitoring environments where Wireshark is deployed. Network security analysts and administrators who rely on Wireshark for packet analysis and troubleshooting face significant risk when processing untrusted network traffic, as any malicious packet could trigger the buffer overflow and crash the entire application. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where network monitoring tools are deployed, as it could be exploited to disrupt critical network analysis operations, potentially masking malicious activity or preventing legitimate security investigations. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic example of how protocol parsing errors in network analysis tools can create severe operational risks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-2528 primarily focus on immediate patch application to upgrade to Wireshark version 2.0.2 or later, which contains the necessary validation fixes for the dissect_nhdr_extopt function. Network administrators should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure to potentially malicious traffic, while also considering the deployment of network intrusion detection systems that can identify and block suspicious packet patterns. The vulnerability highlights the importance of input validation in network protocol parsers and demonstrates the need for comprehensive testing of protocol handling code within security tools. Organizations should also consider implementing additional monitoring and alerting mechanisms to detect application crashes or abnormal behavior in network analysis tools, as this vulnerability could potentially be extended to more sophisticated attack vectors if combined with other exploits. The incident underscores the critical nature of maintaining up-to-date security tool versions and implementing proper security testing procedures for network analysis software.