CVE-2016-4415 in Wireshark
Summary
by MITRE
wiretap/vwr.c in the Ixia IxVeriWave file parser in Wireshark 2.x before 2.0.2 incorrectly increases a certain octet count, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (heap-based buffer overflow and application crash) via a crafted file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/27/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-4415 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow in the Ixia IxVeriWave file parser component of Wireshark versions 2.x prior to 2.0.2. This flaw resides within the wiretap/vwr.c source file and demonstrates a classic memory corruption issue that can be exploited remotely to execute denial of service attacks against vulnerable systems. The vulnerability stems from an incorrect octet count increment operation that leads to improper memory allocation and subsequent buffer overflow conditions when processing specially crafted Ixia IxVeriWave files.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a flaw in the file format parsing logic where the application fails to properly validate or track the octet count during file processing. When Wireshark encounters a maliciously constructed Ixia IxVeriWave file, the parser incorrectly calculates the expected data size, causing the application to allocate insufficient memory for the buffer. This miscalculation results in a heap-based buffer overflow when the application attempts to write data beyond the allocated memory boundaries, ultimately leading to application crashes and system instability. The flaw specifically affects the wiretap component which is responsible for reading and parsing various network capture file formats, making it a core component susceptible to exploitation.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to network security analysts and forensic investigators who rely on Wireshark for network traffic analysis. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers can trigger the vulnerability simply by enticing users to open a maliciously crafted Ixia IxVeriWave file, potentially through phishing emails or compromised websites. The denial of service impact extends beyond simple application crashes to include potential system instability that could affect network monitoring operations, forensic investigations, and security operations centers where Wireshark is extensively deployed. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require special privileges or complex attack vectors, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where network analysis tools are widely used.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2016-4415 centers on upgrading to Wireshark version 2.0.2 or later, which contains the necessary patches to correct the octet count calculation logic. Network administrators should prioritize this update across all systems where Wireshark is installed, particularly in security-sensitive environments. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure to potentially malicious files can provide additional defense layers. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, and represents a typical ATT&CK technique for denial of service attacks through application exploitation. Organizations should also consider implementing file validation mechanisms and restricting the types of files that can be processed by network analysis tools to minimize the attack surface. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual application crashes or memory allocation patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts.
This vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and memory management in network analysis tools, where the processing of untrusted data can lead to critical system failures. The flaw demonstrates how seemingly minor parsing errors can result in severe security implications, particularly in tools that are integral to network security operations and forensic analysis. Organizations should maintain comprehensive patch management procedures and regularly update security tools to protect against known vulnerabilities that could be exploited by threat actors.