CVE-2024-0210 in Wireshark
Summary
by MITRE • 01/03/2024
Zigbee TLV dissector crash in Wireshark 4.2.0 allows denial of service via packet injection or crafted capture file
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/23/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-0210 represents a critical denial of service flaw within Wireshark version 4.2.0 that specifically affects the Zigbee TLV dissector component. This vulnerability manifests when processing malformed or specially crafted Zigbee packets, leading to a complete application crash that renders the network analysis tool unusable for network administrators and security professionals who rely on it for protocol analysis. The flaw exists in the way Wireshark handles Type-Length-Value formatted data structures within Zigbee protocol packets, which are commonly used in wireless sensor networks and home automation systems. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it can be triggered through multiple attack vectors including direct packet injection into network traffic or by loading a maliciously crafted capture file into the Wireshark application. The Zigbee protocol operates primarily in the 2.4 GHz ISM band and is widely deployed in Internet of Things environments, making this vulnerability impactful across numerous network security monitoring scenarios.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the Zigbee TLV dissector module, which fails to properly handle malformed length fields or unexpected data structures that may occur in Zigbee protocol packets. When Wireshark encounters such malformed data during packet processing, the dissector enters an undefined state that causes the application to crash and terminate unexpectedly. This behavior aligns with CWE-129, which describes improper validation of length fields in input data structures, and specifically relates to CWE-20, which addresses improper input validation in software applications. The vulnerability is classified as a buffer over-read or memory access violation that occurs when the dissector attempts to process data structures without adequate bounds checking, potentially leading to memory corruption and application instability. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with the ATT&CK technique T1499.001, which involves network denial of service attacks that target application stability and availability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application instability as it creates significant risks for network security operations and incident response activities. Network administrators who depend on Wireshark for monitoring Zigbee-based IoT deployments, smart home systems, or industrial wireless sensor networks may find their monitoring capabilities completely compromised when encountering malicious or malformed Zigbee traffic. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where Wireshark is used for continuous network monitoring, as a single malicious packet can cause complete service disruption and require manual intervention to restore normal operations. Security teams responsible for analyzing network traffic for potential threats may find their forensic capabilities severely limited when the tool they rely upon crashes during analysis. The vulnerability also impacts automated network monitoring systems that may be configured to automatically process capture files, as these systems could be brought down by simply loading a malicious capture file containing the crafted Zigbee TLV structures. Organizations using Wireshark in production environments must consider the risk of this vulnerability being exploited to disrupt network monitoring capabilities and compromise security operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-0210 focus primarily on immediate software updates and operational procedures to prevent exploitation. The most effective solution involves upgrading to Wireshark version 4.2.1 or later, which includes patches specifically designed to address the input validation issues in the Zigbee TLV dissector. Network administrators should implement immediate patch management procedures to ensure all instances of Wireshark across their infrastructure are updated to secure versions. Additionally, operational mitigations include implementing network segmentation to isolate Zigbee traffic from critical systems and deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify and block suspicious Zigbee packet patterns. Organizations should also consider implementing capture file validation procedures before loading unknown or untrusted capture files into Wireshark, as this can prevent exploitation through crafted capture files. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date network security tools and implementing proper input validation controls within protocol dissectors to prevent similar issues in other network analysis tools. Security teams should also establish incident response procedures for handling application crashes that may indicate exploitation attempts, ensuring rapid recovery and minimal disruption to network monitoring operations.