CVE-2018-9267 in Wireshark
Summary
by MITRE
In Wireshark 2.4.0 to 2.4.5 and 2.2.0 to 2.2.13, epan/dissectors/packet-lapd.c has a memory leak.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/26/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-9267 represents a critical memory management flaw within the Wireshark network protocol analyzer software. This issue affects versions ranging from 2.4.0 through 2.4.5 and 2.2.0 through 2.2.13, creating a persistent security risk for users who rely on Wireshark for network traffic analysis and debugging. The memory leak occurs specifically within the LAPD (Link Access Procedure on the D channel) dissector component, which is responsible for interpreting and displaying data from ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) traffic. The flaw manifests when processing certain packet structures that trigger improper memory allocation and deallocation sequences, leading to gradual memory consumption that can eventually degrade system performance or cause application instability.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the packet-lapd.c file where the dissector fails to properly release allocated memory blocks when processing malformed or unexpected LAPD packet formats. This memory leak pattern aligns with CWE-401, which categorizes improper memory management as a fundamental weakness in software security. The flaw operates at the application layer of the OSI model where network protocol analysis tools process and interpret binary packet data streams. When Wireshark encounters specific combinations of LAPD packet headers and payload data, the dissector routine allocates memory for processing but fails to execute the corresponding deallocation routines, resulting in memory fragmentation and progressive resource exhaustion. This behavior can be particularly problematic in long-running network monitoring scenarios where continuous packet processing occurs without system restarts.
The operational impact of this memory leak vulnerability extends beyond simple performance degradation to potentially compromise the availability and reliability of network analysis operations. Attackers who understand the specific packet structures that trigger this flaw could theoretically exploit it to consume system resources and cause denial of service conditions on network analysis workstations. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where network analysts might process large volumes of traffic over extended periods, as the gradual memory consumption could lead to system crashes or unresponsive applications. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability could be categorized under T1499.004 for network denial of service attacks and potentially T1587.001 for resource hijacking techniques. The impact is amplified in automated monitoring systems where Wireshark might be running continuously, as the memory leak would compound over time and could go unnoticed until system performance significantly degrades.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-9267 require immediate software updates to versions that contain the patched dissector implementation. Users should upgrade to Wireshark 2.4.6 or 2.2.14, which include the corrected memory management routines in the packet-lapd.c file. Network administrators should also implement monitoring systems to track memory usage patterns in Wireshark processes, enabling early detection of potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, security teams should consider implementing network traffic filtering rules that prevent the processing of suspicious LAPD packet structures until full patch deployment is complete. The vulnerability underscores the importance of regular security maintenance and the need for thorough testing of protocol dissector components, particularly those handling complex binary formats like ISDN traffic. Organizations should also review their network monitoring practices to ensure that anomalous memory consumption patterns are detected and investigated promptly, as this could serve as an indicator of other potential exploitation attempts targeting similar memory management flaws.