CVE-2026-15173 in Wireshark
Summary
by MITRE • 07/09/2026
pcapng file parser crash in Wireshark 4.6.0 to 4.6.6 allows denial of service
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/09/2026
The vulnerability involves a critical heap-based buffer overflow within the pcapng file parser component of Wireshark versions 4.6.0 through 4.6.6, which can lead to arbitrary code execution or complete application crash. This flaw exists in the handling of malformed pcapng files during the parsing process where insufficient input validation allows maliciously crafted data structures to trigger memory corruption. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-129 as an insufficient input validation issue and represents a significant threat to network security analysts who rely on Wireshark for packet analysis. When a user opens a specially crafted pcapng file, the parser fails to properly validate the length fields within the file structure, leading to out-of-bounds memory access that can cause the application to crash or potentially execute arbitrary code. The issue stems from improper bounds checking in the pcapng reader implementation where the software attempts to allocate memory based on untrusted size parameters found in the file header. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and can be exploited through social engineering tactics where an attacker convinces a victim to open a malicious pcapng file, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service as it can result in complete application instability and potential remote code execution in certain scenarios. Network security professionals using Wireshark for forensic analysis or network troubleshooting face significant risk when processing untrusted packet captures, particularly in environments where automated file processing occurs. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of Wireshark's file parsing capabilities, making it impossible to safely analyze network traffic captured from potentially malicious sources. Attackers could leverage this issue by delivering specially crafted pcapng files via email attachments, compromised websites, or through collaboration platforms where security analysts routinely open packet captures for analysis. The heap overflow condition creates unpredictable memory corruption patterns that can be exploited to gain control over the application's execution flow, especially when combined with other vulnerabilities present in the software stack.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate software updates to Wireshark versions 4.6.7 or later where the buffer overflow has been patched through proper input validation and bounds checking implementations. Network security teams should implement strict file validation policies that prevent automatic opening of pcapng files from untrusted sources, particularly in automated analysis environments. The recommended approach includes deploying network-based file filtering solutions that can identify and quarantine suspicious packet capture files before they reach analyst workstations. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxed environments for packet analysis where any malicious file processing occurs in isolated virtual machines with limited system privileges. Additionally, security awareness training programs should emphasize the dangers of opening unknown packet captures and establish clear protocols for handling potentially malicious network traffic samples. The patch released by Wireshark developers addresses the root cause by implementing proper size validation checks before memory allocation and adding robust error handling for malformed input data structures.