CVE-2024-4855 in Wireshark
Summary
by MITRE • 05/14/2024
Use after free issue in editcap could cause denial of service via crafted capture file
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/23/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-4855 represents a critical use-after-free flaw within the editcap utility of Wireshark, a widely deployed network protocol analyzer and packet capture tool. This issue manifests when editcap processes maliciously crafted capture files, creating a scenario where freed memory locations are accessed after being deallocated, leading to unpredictable behavior and potential system instability. The vulnerability specifically impacts the editcap component which serves as a command-line utility for converting and editing network capture files, making it a core element of the Wireshark ecosystem that handles various file format operations.
The technical implementation of this use-after-free vulnerability stems from improper memory management practices within editcap's handling of capture file structures. When processing malformed input files, the application allocates memory for internal data structures representing packet capture metadata, but fails to properly validate or manage the lifecycle of these allocations. During normal operation, when editcap encounters certain crafted file formats, it may prematurely free memory blocks while still maintaining references to them, creating opportunities for subsequent memory access attempts that result in segmentation faults or arbitrary code execution. This flaw operates at the intersection of memory safety issues and protocol parsing vulnerabilities, with the specific conditions requiring precise manipulation of capture file headers and data structures to trigger the problematic code paths.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-4855 extends beyond simple denial of service, as it presents potential for more severe security consequences depending on the execution environment. Network security professionals and analysts who rely on Wireshark for network forensics, troubleshooting, and security monitoring face significant risks when processing untrusted capture files, as the vulnerability can be exploited through social engineering attacks or automated scanning tools that deliver malicious packet captures. The vulnerability affects systems where editcap is executed with elevated privileges or when processing files from potentially malicious sources, creating scenarios where an attacker could cause system crashes, data corruption, or potentially gain unauthorized access to system resources. The widespread adoption of Wireshark across enterprise networks, security operations centers, and forensic investigations amplifies the potential impact of this vulnerability, as it could be leveraged to disrupt critical network monitoring operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-4855 should prioritize immediate patch deployment from Wireshark maintainers, as the vulnerability exists in the core functionality of the application. Organizations should implement strict file validation procedures for capture files, particularly those received from external sources or untrusted networks, and consider deploying network segmentation controls to limit exposure. Security teams should also consider implementing sandboxing techniques for processing suspicious capture files, ensuring that any potentially malicious input is isolated from production systems. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which addresses use-after-free conditions, and presents potential ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and denial of service through application exploitation. Network security teams should also monitor for indicators of compromise related to the exploitation of this vulnerability, including unusual system crashes or memory access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts.