CVE-2024-0208 in Wireshark
Summary
by MITRE • 01/03/2024
GVCP dissector crash in Wireshark 4.2.0, 4.0.0 to 4.0.11, and 3.6.0 to 3.6.19 allows denial of service via packet injection or crafted capture file
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/20/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-0208 represents a critical denial of service flaw within Wireshark's implementation of the Generic Video Control Protocol (GVCP) dissector. This issue affects multiple versions of Wireshark including 4.2.0, 4.0.0 through 4.0.11, and 3.6.0 through 3.6.19, making it a widespread concern for network security professionals who rely on Wireshark for packet analysis and network troubleshooting. The vulnerability manifests when Wireshark processes network traffic containing GVCP protocol data, specifically when analyzing packets that contain malformed or crafted data structures.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in insufficient input validation and error handling within the GVCP dissector component of Wireshark. When processing certain packet structures that conform to the GVCP protocol specification but contain unexpected or malformed data, the dissector fails to properly handle these edge cases, leading to a crash or segmentation fault within the Wireshark application. This behavior represents a classic buffer over-read or improper memory access condition that can be exploited by attackers who understand the protocol structure and can craft specific packets that trigger the vulnerable code path. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-125 as an out-of-bounds read, which is a common weakness in protocol parsers and network analysis tools.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-0208 extends beyond simple application crashes, as it can be leveraged for significant disruption in network monitoring environments. Network security analysts and administrators who use Wireshark for real-time packet capture and analysis may find their monitoring tools become unavailable when encountering maliciously crafted network traffic. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where automated network monitoring systems rely on Wireshark for continuous surveillance, as it can be used to create persistent denial of service conditions against network analysis infrastructure. The attack vector requires either packet injection into a network segment where Wireshark is capturing traffic or the ability to create and distribute a crafted capture file that contains malicious GVCP data structures. This makes the vulnerability exploitable in both active network environments and through the distribution of malicious packet capture files.
From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service attacks and demonstrates how protocol parsing flaws can be weaponized for system disruption. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where network monitoring tools are critical infrastructure components. Organizations that use Wireshark for security operations, network troubleshooting, and forensic analysis face potential operational disruptions when this vulnerability is exploited. The vulnerability can be exploited by attackers with minimal technical expertise, as it requires only the ability to craft specific network packets or capture files that trigger the dissector crash. This makes it a particularly attractive target for adversaries seeking to disrupt network monitoring capabilities or cause operational chaos in security operations centers. The vulnerability underscores the importance of input validation and robust error handling in network protocol analysis tools, as these components are often exposed to untrusted data from network traffic.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-0208 should focus on immediate version updates to patched releases of Wireshark, as well as implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure to potentially malicious traffic. Network administrators should also consider implementing additional monitoring for Wireshark processes and establishing incident response procedures for dealing with application crashes. The vulnerability highlights the necessity of regular security updates and patch management processes for network analysis tools, as these components often become targets for sophisticated attacks due to their critical role in network security operations. Organizations should also consider implementing network access control lists and intrusion detection systems to identify and block potentially malicious traffic that could trigger this vulnerability, while maintaining awareness of the evolving threat landscape around protocol analysis tool vulnerabilities.