CVE-2026-15168 in Wireshark
Summary
by MITRE • 07/09/2026
BLF file parser in Wireshark 4.6.0 to 4.6.6 and 4.4.0 to 4.4.16 allows possible information disclosure
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/09/2026
The vulnerability resides in the BLF file parser component of Wireshark, a widely used network protocol analyzer that plays a critical role in network troubleshooting and security analysis. This issue affects specific versions including 4.6.0 through 4.6.6 and 4.4.0 through 4.4.16, where the BLF file parser fails to properly validate input data during file processing operations. The flaw enables potential information disclosure through improper handling of malformed or specially crafted BLF (Binary Logging Format) files that contain malicious payloads designed to exploit memory handling inconsistencies within the parser.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking and memory management practices within the BLF file parsing logic. When Wireshark processes a maliciously constructed BLF file, the parser does not sufficiently validate the structure and content of the binary data, leading to potential buffer overflows or memory corruption scenarios. This improper input validation creates opportunities for attackers to craft specific file contents that can cause the application to reveal sensitive information from memory locations, potentially exposing system details, user credentials, or other confidential data that should remain protected during normal operation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it represents a potential entry point for more sophisticated attacks within network analysis environments. Security analysts and network administrators who rely on Wireshark for forensic analysis and network monitoring could inadvertently expose sensitive information when processing compromised BLF files from untrusted sources. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where network traffic analysis tools are frequently used to investigate security incidents, as attackers could exploit this weakness to extract confidential data from memory during normal file processing operations.
From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125 Out-of-bounds Read and CWE-787 Out-of-bounds Write categories, representing memory safety issues that can lead to information disclosure through improper memory access patterns. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as part of T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and potentially T1566 Impersonation of legitimate processes, since the vulnerability enables adversaries to leverage the legitimate Wireshark application to extract sensitive data from system memory. Organizations using affected versions should prioritize patching to prevent potential exploitation that could compromise network monitoring integrity and expose confidential information during routine protocol analysis tasks.
Mitigation strategies include immediate deployment of patched Wireshark versions, implementation of strict file validation procedures for BLF files received from external sources, and enhanced network segmentation to limit exposure of critical systems. Security teams should also consider implementing automated file scanning mechanisms that can detect potentially malicious BLF content before processing and establish monitoring protocols to identify unusual memory access patterns during protocol analysis operations. The vulnerability highlights the importance of robust input validation in security tools and demonstrates how even legitimate network analysis applications can become attack vectors when proper memory safety practices are not implemented.