CVE-2018-9273 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-pcp.c has a memory leak.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/26/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-9273 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, making it a widespread concern across multiple release branches of the popular network forensics tool. The memory leak occurs specifically within the packet-pcp.c dissector module, which is responsible for parsing and interpreting PCP (Port Control Protocol) traffic. This protocol is commonly used for NAT traversal and port mapping in network environments, making the vulnerability particularly concerning for network security professionals who rely on Wireshark for traffic analysis and monitoring.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper memory deallocation within the PCP dissector implementation. When Wireshark processes PCP packets, the code fails to properly release allocated memory resources, leading to gradual memory consumption over time. This memory leak manifests as the application consuming increasing amounts of system RAM as it continues to process network traffic containing PCP protocol data. The flaw represents a classic CWE-401 issue, which categorizes memory leaks as a fundamental software defect where allocated memory is not properly freed, resulting in resource exhaustion. The vulnerability is particularly insidious because it can remain undetected for extended periods while slowly degrading system performance and potentially causing application crashes or system instability.
The operational impact of this memory leak extends beyond simple performance degradation, presenting significant risks to network security operations and forensic analysis activities. Network analysts who rely on Wireshark for extended monitoring sessions may experience system instability or complete application failure due to the accumulating memory consumption. This vulnerability directly impacts the reliability of network forensics operations, where continuous packet capture and analysis are essential. Attackers could potentially exploit this weakness by crafting malicious PCP packets designed to trigger rapid memory consumption, leading to denial of service conditions that disrupt network monitoring capabilities. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers network denial of service attacks, as the memory leak could be leveraged to exhaust system resources and render the monitoring environment ineffective.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-9273 primarily involve immediate software updates to patched versions of Wireshark where the memory leak has been resolved. Network security teams should prioritize upgrading to Wireshark versions 2.4.6 or 2.2.14 and later, which contain the necessary code modifications to properly handle memory allocation and deallocation within the PCP dissector. System administrators should implement monitoring solutions to track memory usage patterns in Wireshark processes, enabling early detection of potential memory leak impacts. Additionally, temporary workarounds such as limiting the duration of extended packet captures or disabling the PCP dissector module when not specifically required can help mitigate the risk. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining current network security tooling and implementing robust patch management processes, as memory management flaws can significantly compromise the operational integrity of critical network monitoring infrastructure.