CVE-2022-0586 in Wireshark
Summary
by MITRE • 02/15/2022
Infinite loop in RTMPT protocol dissector in Wireshark 3.6.0 to 3.6.1 and 3.4.0 to 3.4.11 allows denial of service via packet injection or crafted capture file
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/29/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-0586 represents a critical denial of service flaw within Wireshark's RTMPT protocol dissector that affects specific versions of the network protocol analyzer. This issue manifests as an infinite loop during packet processing, specifically when analyzing RTMPT traffic which is used for real-time messaging protocol tunneling. The vulnerability exists in Wireshark versions 3.4.0 through 3.4.11 and 3.6.0 through 3.6.1, creating a window of exposure where network analysts and security professionals using these versions could be subjected to service disruption. The RTMPT protocol dissector is responsible for parsing and displaying real-time messaging protocol traffic within Wireshark's graphical interface, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for network monitoring and forensic analysis operations.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate input validation within the RTMPT protocol dissector implementation, where malformed or specially crafted RTMPT packets can trigger a condition causing the dissector to enter an infinite loop during packet processing. This occurs when the dissector encounters specific packet structures that cause recursive parsing behavior or other loop conditions that prevent normal packet processing flow. The vulnerability is triggered when Wireshark attempts to dissect RTMPT traffic, either through live packet capture or by analyzing previously saved capture files containing malicious RTMPT data. The infinite loop consumes excessive CPU resources and prevents the application from processing subsequent packets, effectively rendering the network analysis tool unusable until manually terminated. This behavior aligns with CWE-835, which specifically addresses infinite loops in software implementations, and represents a classic example of a denial of service vulnerability that can be exploited through crafted inputs.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-0586 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise network security monitoring capabilities and forensic analysis operations. Network security teams who rely on Wireshark for real-time traffic analysis, incident response, and protocol debugging could face complete tool failure when encountering malicious RTMPT traffic, potentially masking actual security incidents or preventing proper network investigation. The vulnerability can be exploited through two primary vectors: packet injection during live capture scenarios where an attacker sends malformed RTMPT packets to a victim's network analyzer, or through crafted capture files that when opened in Wireshark trigger the infinite loop condition. This dual exploitation capability makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where network analysts may unknowingly open malicious packet captures or where automated network monitoring systems could be targeted. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that RTMPT traffic can appear in various network contexts, including web applications, streaming services, and enterprise network monitoring scenarios, making it difficult to predict or prevent exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-0586 focus on immediate version upgrades to patched releases of Wireshark where the infinite loop condition has been eliminated through proper input validation and loop termination mechanisms. Network security teams should prioritize updating their Wireshark installations to versions 3.4.12 or 3.6.2 and later, which contain the necessary fixes to prevent the dissector from entering infinite loops. Additionally, administrators should implement network monitoring controls to detect and block RTMPT traffic in environments where such traffic is not expected or required, reducing the attack surface for potential exploitation. Security practitioners should also consider implementing capture file validation procedures where packet captures are scanned for suspicious patterns before being opened in Wireshark, particularly in environments where capture files may originate from untrusted sources. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust input validation in protocol dissectors and highlights the need for comprehensive testing of network analysis tools against malformed inputs, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1489 which covers denial of service through resource exhaustion. Organizations should also maintain awareness of the evolving threat landscape surrounding network protocol analysis tools and implement regular security assessments to identify potential vulnerabilities in their network monitoring infrastructure.