CVE-2016-7179 in Wireshark
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in epan/dissectors/packet-catapult-dct2000.c in the Catapult DCT2000 dissector in Wireshark 2.x before 2.0.6 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via a crafted packet.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/15/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-7179 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow within the Catapult DCT2000 dissector component of Wireshark version 2.x prior to 2.0.6. This flaw exists in the packet-catapult-dct2000.c file and demonstrates a classic memory corruption vulnerability that can be exploited by remote attackers to disrupt network analysis operations. The Catapult DCT2000 protocol dissector is responsible for parsing and interpreting network traffic related to Catapult DCT2000 devices, which are used in various telecommunications and networking applications. The buffer overflow occurs during packet processing when the dissector fails to properly validate input data lengths before copying them into fixed-size stack buffers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the dissector's handling of malformed packet data that exceeds the allocated buffer space on the stack. When Wireshark processes a specially crafted packet containing excessive data in the Catapult DCT2000 protocol fields, the application attempts to copy this data into a stack buffer without adequate bounds checking. This results in memory corruption that overwrites adjacent stack variables and potentially the return address of the calling function. The vulnerability is classified as a CWE-121 stack-based buffer overflow, which is a well-documented weakness in software development practices that directly impacts software reliability and security. The flaw specifically affects the network protocol analysis capabilities of Wireshark, which is widely used by network administrators, security professionals, and researchers for traffic inspection and troubleshooting.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application instability to potentially compromise the entire network analysis environment. Remote attackers can leverage this weakness to cause denial of service conditions by sending malicious packets that trigger the buffer overflow, resulting in Wireshark application crashes and termination. This disruption can severely impact network monitoring operations, especially in environments where Wireshark is used for critical network troubleshooting, security analysis, or forensic investigations. The vulnerability affects any system running Wireshark 2.x versions before 2.0.6 when processing network traffic containing Catapult DCT2000 protocol data, making it particularly dangerous in production network monitoring scenarios where continuous traffic analysis is required. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1499.004 technique for network denial of service, as it specifically targets application stability through memory corruption attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-7179 primarily focus on immediate software updates and network monitoring adjustments. The most effective solution involves upgrading to Wireshark version 2.0.6 or later, where the buffer overflow has been addressed through proper input validation and bounds checking mechanisms. Network administrators should implement automated patch management systems to ensure all instances of Wireshark are updated promptly. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring can help detect and isolate malicious traffic patterns that might exploit this vulnerability. The remediation process should include verifying that all dissectors are properly updated and that no legacy versions remain in the network analysis infrastructure. Security teams should also consider implementing network access controls that limit exposure to potentially malicious traffic sources while maintaining necessary network visibility for legitimate analysis purposes.