CVE-2016-4082 in Wireshark
Summary
by MITRE
epan/dissectors/packet-gsm_cbch.c in the GSM CBCH dissector in Wireshark 1.12.x before 1.12.11 and 2.0.x before 2.0.3 uses the wrong variable to index an array, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds access and application crash) via a crafted packet.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/26/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-4082 affects the GSM CBCH dissector component within Wireshark, a widely used network protocol analyzer that plays a critical role in network troubleshooting and security analysis. This flaw exists in specific versions of Wireshark including 1.12.x before 1.12.11 and 2.0.x before 2.0.3, representing a significant concern for network security professionals who rely on Wireshark for packet analysis. The issue stems from improper array indexing within the dissector module responsible for parsing GSM CBCH (Cell Broadcast Channel) protocol data, which is commonly used for broadcasting emergency alerts, traffic information, and other public service messages in cellular networks. This particular vulnerability demonstrates a classic programming error that can lead to severe operational consequences when exploited by malicious actors.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the incorrect variable usage for array indexing within the packet-gsm_cbch.c source file. Specifically, the dissector code employs a variable that does not correspond to the intended array bounds, creating an out-of-bounds memory access condition. When Wireshark processes a crafted malicious packet containing malformed GSM CBCH data, the flawed indexing logic causes the application to attempt accessing memory locations beyond the allocated array boundaries. This memory corruption results in undefined behavior that manifests as application crashes and system instability, effectively creating a denial of service condition that prevents legitimate network analysis operations from continuing. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-129 as an "Improper Validation of Array Index" and represents a type of buffer overflow condition that can be exploited through crafted input data.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-4082 extends beyond simple application instability, as it can be leveraged by remote attackers to disrupt network monitoring and security operations. Network security teams who depend on Wireshark for real-time traffic analysis, incident response, and protocol debugging face potential service interruptions when encountering maliciously crafted packets. This vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where continuous network monitoring is essential, such as security operations centers, network infrastructure management, and forensic analysis labs. The remote exploitability aspect means that attackers can trigger the denial of service condition without requiring physical access to the target system, making it a significant threat vector for network administrators and cybersecurity professionals. According to ATT&CK framework category T1499, this vulnerability aligns with the "Endpoint Denial of Service" technique, where adversaries compromise system availability through application-level attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-4082 primarily involve upgrading to patched versions of Wireshark where the array indexing error has been corrected. The affected versions 1.12.x before 1.12.11 and 2.0.x before 2.0.3 should be immediately replaced with the patched releases that contain proper array bounds checking and validation. Network administrators should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure to potentially malicious traffic, while monitoring for unusual packet patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additional defensive measures include deploying network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify and block suspicious GSM CBCH traffic patterns, and maintaining regular security updates across all network analysis tools to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited. Organizations should also conduct regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify and remediate similar coding errors in their network monitoring infrastructure.