CVE-2016-7180 in Wireshark
Summary
by MITRE
epan/dissectors/packet-ipmi-trace.c in the IPMI trace dissector in Wireshark 2.x before 2.0.6 does not properly consider whether a string is constant, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (use-after-free and application crash) via a crafted packet.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/15/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-7180 resides within the IPMI trace dissector component of Wireshark version 2.x prior to 2.0.6. This flaw specifically affects the packet-ipmi-trace.c file and represents a critical memory safety issue that can be exploited remotely. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of string constant evaluation during packet processing, creating a scenario where attacker-controlled data can trigger unexpected memory behavior. The affected dissector processes IPMI (Intelligent Platform Management Interface) trace data, which is commonly used for system management and monitoring in enterprise environments, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for network infrastructure analysis tools.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a use-after-free condition that occurs when the dissector processes malformed IPMI trace packets. When Wireshark encounters a crafted packet with specific characteristics, the dissector fails to properly validate whether string data is constant before attempting to access or manipulate it. This improper validation leads to memory corruption where freed memory locations are accessed, resulting in application crashes and potential denial of service conditions. The flaw operates at the protocol dissector level, meaning it affects how Wireshark interprets and displays network traffic, making it particularly dangerous for security analysts who rely on accurate packet analysis for threat detection.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application instability, as it can be leveraged by remote attackers to disrupt network monitoring operations. In enterprise environments where Wireshark serves as a critical tool for network traffic analysis and security incident response, a successful exploitation could lead to complete service disruption. Security operations teams rely on Wireshark for real-time network analysis, intrusion detection, and forensic investigations, making this denial of service vulnerability particularly damaging. The vulnerability affects any system running affected Wireshark versions when processing IPMI trace data, regardless of whether the system is actively monitoring IPMI traffic or simply has the dissector enabled.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-7180 primarily focus on immediate software updates and operational precautions. The most effective solution involves upgrading to Wireshark version 2.0.6 or later, where the dissector has been patched to properly handle string constant validation. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and monitoring to prevent unauthorized access to systems running Wireshark with IPMI dissector enabled. Security teams should consider disabling unnecessary dissectors in production environments and implementing strict packet filtering rules for IPMI traffic. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which addresses use-after-free conditions, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service attacks, highlighting the importance of maintaining up-to-date network analysis tools and implementing proper security controls around monitoring infrastructure.