CVE-2017-11406 in Wireshark
Summary
by MITRE
In Wireshark 2.2.0 to 2.2.7 and 2.0.0 to 2.0.13, the DOCSIS dissector could go into an infinite loop. This was addressed in plugins/docsis/packet-docsis.c by rejecting invalid Frame Control parameter values.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/13/2022
The vulnerability CVE-2017-11406 represents a critical denial of service flaw in Wireshark network protocol analyzer versions 2.2.0 through 2.2.7 and 2.0.0 through 2.0.13. This issue specifically affects the DOCSIS dissector component responsible for parsing Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification packets used in cable modem communications. The flaw manifests as an infinite loop condition that can be triggered by malformed or invalid Frame Control parameter values in DOCSIS traffic captures, potentially causing the application to become unresponsive and consume excessive system resources. This vulnerability falls under CWE-835, which specifically addresses infinite loops or iterations without proper termination conditions, making it a classic example of a denial of service vulnerability through resource exhaustion.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when Wireshark processes network captures containing malformed DOCSIS frames with invalid Frame Control parameter values. The DOCSIS dissector in the plugins/docsis/packet-docsis.c file lacks proper input validation for these parameters, leading to a scenario where the parsing logic enters an infinite loop while attempting to process the malformed data. This condition can be triggered by any user who loads a specially crafted network capture file containing such invalid parameters, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where users might encounter untrusted packet captures. The infinite loop consumes CPU cycles continuously without making progress, effectively rendering the Wireshark application unresponsive and potentially causing system instability or resource exhaustion.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-11406 extends beyond simple application crashes, as it can be leveraged for broader security implications within network monitoring environments. Network security analysts and administrators who rely on Wireshark for traffic analysis and forensic investigations could find their tools rendered unusable by malicious actors who craft specific packet captures to exploit this vulnerability. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.001, which covers network denial of service attacks, and represents a significant risk in operational technology environments where network analysis tools are critical for security monitoring. The vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in protocol dissector implementations, as the lack of bounds checking and parameter validation creates a direct path for resource exhaustion attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-11406 focus primarily on upgrading to patched versions of Wireshark where the DOCSIS dissector has been corrected to reject invalid Frame Control parameter values. The fix implemented in plugins/docsis/packet-docsis.c specifically addresses the root cause by adding proper validation checks that prevent the infinite loop condition from occurring. Organizations should also implement network monitoring practices that can detect and prevent the injection of malformed DOCSIS frames into their networks. Additional defensive measures include deploying network segmentation to limit exposure, implementing proper access controls for network capture files, and establishing robust patch management procedures to ensure timely updates. The vulnerability highlights the necessity of comprehensive testing and validation of protocol dissectors against malformed inputs, as recommended by industry standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Testing Guide and NIST SP 800-160 for secure software development practices.