CVE-2017-15192 in Wireshark
Summary
by MITRE
In Wireshark 2.4.0 to 2.4.1 and 2.2.0 to 2.2.9, the BT ATT dissector could crash. This was addressed in epan/dissectors/packet-btatt.c by considering a case where not all of the BTATT packets have the same encapsulation level.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/03/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-15192 represents a critical stability issue within Wireshark's Bluetooth Low Energy protocol analysis capabilities. This flaw affected versions 2.4.0 through 2.4.1 and 2.2.0 through 2.2.9, where the BT ATT dissector exhibited unpredictable behavior leading to application crashes. The root cause lies in the dissector's inability to properly handle varying encapsulation levels within Bluetooth ATT (Attribute Protocol) packets, which are fundamental to Bluetooth Smart device communication and data exchange.
The technical implementation flaw resides in the packet-btatt.c file within Wireshark's epan/dissectors directory, where the dissector fails to account for scenarios where Bluetooth ATT packets do not conform to identical encapsulation structures. This inconsistency occurs when processing different types of Bluetooth LE communication patterns where packet headers and payload structures vary based on the specific ATT operation being performed. The dissector's logic assumes uniform packet formatting, but Bluetooth ATT protocol allows for variable-length fields and different encapsulation levels depending on the specific attribute operation type being transmitted.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application instability, as it could potentially disrupt network analysis workflows for security professionals, researchers, and network administrators who rely on Wireshark for Bluetooth protocol examination. When the dissector crashes during packet processing, it results in complete application termination, forcing users to restart their analysis sessions and potentially lose valuable packet capture data. This behavior creates significant reliability issues for forensic analysis, penetration testing, and network troubleshooting activities involving Bluetooth Low Energy devices.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of improper input validation within protocol dissectors. The flaw also intersects with ATT&CK technique T1046, where adversaries might exploit such instability to disrupt network monitoring capabilities or potentially use it as a vector for service denial. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of robust protocol parsing in network analysis tools, where incomplete handling of protocol variations can lead to complete application failure rather than merely incorrect data interpretation.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2017-15192 involves updating to Wireshark versions that contain the patched dissector implementation, specifically addressing the inconsistent packet handling by properly accounting for varying encapsulation levels within Bluetooth ATT packets. Security practitioners should also implement monitoring for abnormal application behavior during Bluetooth protocol analysis and maintain updated network analysis toolsets to prevent exploitation of such stability-related vulnerabilities. Organizations relying on Wireshark for Bluetooth protocol analysis should conduct regular vulnerability assessments to ensure their network monitoring tools remain resilient against protocol-specific instability issues.