Description
epan/dissectors/packet-xot.c in the XOT dissector (dissect_xot_pdu) in Wireshark (formerly Ethereal) 0.9.8 through 0.99.3 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (memory consumption and crash) via an encoded XOT packet that produces a zero length value when it is decoded.
Fixed in Linux distributions
Distributions backport fixes, so the version that fixes this vulnerability differs per release — upgrade to at least the version shown. From the distributions' security trackers and advisories.
Debian
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 14 | wireshark | 0.99.4-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | wireshark | 0.99.4-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | wireshark | 0.99.4-1 | — |
| Debian 3.1 | ethereal | 0.10.10-2sarge9 | DSA-1201-1 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 4 | wireshark +1 | 0.99.4-EL4.1 | RHSA-2006:0726 |
| RHEL 3 | wireshark +1 | 0.99.4-EL3.1 | RHSA-2006:0726 |
| RHEL 2 | wireshark +1 | 0.99.4-AS21.1 | RHSA-2006:0726 |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | wireshark | 3.4.8-1.2 | openSUSE-SU-2024:11513-1 |
Advisories 3
- RHSA-2006:0726 Red Hat Security Advisory: wireshark security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- DSA-1201-1 ethereal - several vulnerabilities Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2024:11513-1 libwireshark14-3.4.8-1.2 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
References
- http://support.avaya.com/elmodocs2/security/ASA-2006-255.htm
- 23096 third-party-advisory
- http://www.wireshark.org/security/wnpa-sec-2006-03.html
- DSA-1201 vendor-advisory
- https://issues.rpath.com/browse/RPL-746
- 22590 third-party-advisory
- ADV-2006-4220 vdb-entry
- wireshark-xot-dos(29843) vdb-entry
- 22841 third-party-advisory
- VU#723736 third-party-advisory
- 20762 vdb-entry
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:10199 vdb-entry signature
- SUSE-SA:2006:065 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2006:0726 vendor-advisory
- 22929 third-party-advisory
- 20061101 rPSA-2006-0202-1 tshark wireshark mailing-list
- 22659 third-party-advisory
- 22692 third-party-advisory
- MDKSA-2006:195 vendor-advisory
- 1017129 vdb-entry
- 22672 third-party-advisory
- 22797 third-party-advisory