CVE-2018-7327 in Wireshark
Summary
by MITRE
In Wireshark 2.4.0 to 2.4.4 and 2.2.0 to 2.2.12, epan/dissectors/packet-openflow_v6.c had an infinite loop that was addressed by validating property lengths.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/10/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-7327 represents a critical security flaw in Wireshark versions ranging from 2.4.0 through 2.4.4 and 2.2.0 through 2.2.12. This issue resides within the OpenFlow protocol dissector component of Wireshark, specifically in the file packet-openflow_v6.c. The flaw manifests as an infinite loop condition that can be triggered during packet analysis, potentially leading to system resource exhaustion and denial of service conditions. The vulnerability was classified under CWE-835, which addresses the issue of infinite loops in software implementations where the loop termination condition cannot be met. This type of vulnerability falls squarely within the ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which involves the exploitation of resource exhaustion attacks through software flaws.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of property lengths within the OpenFlow protocol packet parsing logic. When Wireshark encounters malformed or specially crafted OpenFlow packets during network traffic analysis, the dissector fails to properly validate the length fields associated with various protocol properties. This validation failure creates a scenario where the parsing loop continues indefinitely, consuming system resources without ever reaching a termination point. The flaw is particularly concerning because OpenFlow is commonly used in software-defined networking environments, making this vulnerability exploitable in enterprise network monitoring scenarios where Wireshark is deployed for traffic analysis.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-7327 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, as it can severely disrupt network monitoring operations and potentially compromise the availability of critical network analysis services. Network administrators who rely on Wireshark for troubleshooting and security monitoring may find their analysis tools becoming unresponsive or consuming excessive CPU resources when processing maliciously crafted OpenFlow traffic. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where automated network monitoring systems depend on Wireshark for real-time analysis, as it can lead to complete service outages and prevent legitimate network analysis activities. The issue affects not just individual workstations but can potentially impact entire network monitoring infrastructures.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-7327 focus primarily on immediate software updates to patched versions of Wireshark that address the validation flaw in the OpenFlow dissector. The fix implemented by the Wireshark development team involves adding proper validation checks for property length fields within the packet-openflow_v6.c file, ensuring that loop termination conditions are properly enforced. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure to potentially malicious OpenFlow traffic, particularly in environments where such protocols are not actively used. Additionally, network administrators should monitor for unusual CPU utilization patterns in network analysis systems and implement automated alerting mechanisms to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation in network protocol dissectors and demonstrates how seemingly minor implementation flaws can lead to significant security implications in network monitoring tools.