CVE-2016-4084 in Wireshark
Summary
by MITRE
Integer signedness error in epan/dissectors/packet-mswsp.c in the MS-WSP dissector in Wireshark 2.0.x before 2.0.3 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (integer overflow and application crash) via a crafted packet that triggers an unexpected array size.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/26/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-4084 represents a critical integer signedness error within the MS-WSP dissector component of Wireshark version 2.0.x prior to 2.0.3. This flaw exists in the epan/dissectors/packet-mswsp.c file and demonstrates a classic software security vulnerability that can be exploited remotely to cause denial of service conditions. The issue manifests when processing specially crafted network packets that contain malformed data structures, specifically those related to the Microsoft Windows Service Provider (MS-WSP) protocol. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of signed and unsigned integer values during array size calculations, creating a scenario where legitimate packet data can trigger unexpected behavior in the network protocol analyzer.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper validation of integer values during packet processing operations. When Wireshark encounters a packet that conforms to the MS-WSP protocol structure but contains maliciously crafted data, the dissector attempts to calculate array sizes based on signed integer values that have been manipulated to exceed normal operational bounds. This integer signedness error allows an attacker to manipulate the value of an integer variable in such a way that it becomes negative or exceeds the maximum representable value for its data type. The resulting overflow condition causes the application to attempt to allocate an unexpectedly large array or perform operations with invalid array indices, leading to memory corruption and subsequent application crash.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, as it represents a potential vector for more sophisticated attacks within network monitoring environments. Network administrators who rely on Wireshark for traffic analysis and security monitoring may find their monitoring tools rendered unusable by a single malicious packet, potentially disrupting critical network operations and security incident response activities. The vulnerability affects systems where Wireshark is used as a network protocol analyzer, particularly in enterprise environments where network traffic monitoring is essential for security operations. The remote nature of the attack means that an attacker need only send a malformed packet to any system running the vulnerable version of Wireshark to trigger the exploit, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where traffic analysis tools are commonly deployed.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-4084 focus primarily on upgrading to patched versions of Wireshark where the integer signedness error has been corrected. The vulnerability is addressed in Wireshark 2.0.3 and subsequent releases through proper input validation and integer overflow protection mechanisms. Network security teams should implement immediate patch management procedures to update all affected systems running vulnerable versions of Wireshark. Additionally, network administrators can deploy network-based intrusion detection systems that monitor for suspicious packet patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, which identifies integer overflow and underflow conditions as a significant security concern, and represents a clear example of how improper integer handling can lead to application instability and denial of service conditions. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability could be categorized under initial access and execution techniques, as it allows an attacker to gain a foothold through network traffic manipulation and potentially disrupt system availability. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring to detect unusual traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while maintaining awareness of similar integer handling vulnerabilities that may exist in other network protocol analysis tools and applications.