CVE-2018-14938 in tcpflow
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in wifipcap/wifipcap.cpp in TCPFLOW through 1.5.0-alpha. There is an integer overflow in the function handle_prism during caplen processing. If the caplen is less than 144, one can cause an integer overflow in the function handle_80211, which will result in an out-of-bounds read and may allow access to sensitive memory (or a denial of service).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/29/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-14938 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within the TCPFLOW network analysis tool version 1.5.0-alpha and earlier. This issue specifically manifests in the wifipcap/wifipcap.cpp component where the handle_prism function processes capture length (caplen) values. The flaw occurs when caplen values fall below 144 bytes, creating a scenario where integer arithmetic operations produce incorrect results due to overflow conditions. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and handling of packet capture metadata, particularly affecting wireless network traffic analysis capabilities within the tool.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of caplen field values during wireless packet processing, where the handle_80211 function subsequently encounters integer overflow conditions. When caplen values are less than 144 bytes, the arithmetic operations within the processing pipeline result in integer overflow that corrupts memory boundaries. This overflow condition directly translates to out-of-bounds read operations, where the application attempts to access memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow conditions, and CWE-129, dealing with insufficient input validation. The operational impact extends beyond simple memory access violations to potentially expose sensitive information stored in adjacent memory locations, creating information disclosure risks that align with ATT&CK technique T1005.
The security implications of this vulnerability extend to both confidentiality and availability aspects of affected systems. An attacker capable of manipulating caplen values below the threshold can potentially trigger denial of service conditions through application crashes or memory corruption, while also gaining access to sensitive data that may be stored in memory regions adjacent to the vulnerable buffer. The attack surface is particularly relevant for network security professionals using TCPFLOW for wireless traffic analysis, as the vulnerability can be exploited through crafted packet captures that manipulate the caplen field values. The flaw demonstrates a fundamental weakness in input validation and memory boundary checking within the wireless packet processing pipeline, making it a significant concern for systems that rely on accurate packet capture and analysis for security monitoring and incident response activities. Organizations using TCPFLOW for network forensics or security analysis should consider immediate mitigation strategies including version updates and input validation enhancements to prevent exploitation of this integer overflow vulnerability.
This vulnerability represents a classic example of how seemingly minor input validation gaps can lead to serious security consequences in network analysis tools. The integer overflow occurs during the processing of wireless packet metadata, specifically affecting the handling of prism headers in wireless capture files. The threshold value of 144 bytes indicates the vulnerability's dependence on specific packet structure characteristics, where smaller capture lengths trigger the overflow condition. The resulting out-of-bounds read operations can potentially expose sensitive system information, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where network traffic analysis tools process untrusted packet captures. The impact on system stability and security posture necessitates immediate attention from security teams responsible for network monitoring and forensic analysis activities.