Description
wtap.c in Wireshark 0.99.7 through 1.0.3 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application abort) via a malformed Tamos CommView capture file (aka .ncf file) with an "unknown/unexpected packet type" that triggers a failed assertion.
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 | 1.0.4-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | wireshark | 1.0.4-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | wireshark | 1.0.4-1 | — |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 5 | wireshark +1 | 1.0.6-2.el5_3 | RHSA-2009:0313 |
| RHEL 4 | wireshark +1 | 1.0.6-2.el4_7 | RHSA-2009:0313 |
| RHEL 3 | wireshark +1 | 1.0.6-EL3.3 | RHSA-2009:0313 |
Public exploits
Exploit or proof-of-concept code for this vulnerability is publicly available, which lowers the bar for attackers. Treat it as a reason to patch sooner.
Third-party code, not reviewed by us. Public PoCs are sometimes fake or contain malware. Read the code first and run it only in an isolated lab, against systems you are authorised to test.
Exploit-DB 1
- Wireshark 1.0.x - '.ncf' Packet Capture Local Denial of Service EDB-6622 · dos · Sep 29, 2008 · verified
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 1
- RHSA-2009:0313 Red Hat Security Advisory: wireshark security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
References
- 20081211 rPSA-2008-0336-1 tshark wireshark mailing-list
- http://support.avaya.com/elmodocs2/security/ASA-2009-082.htm
- 32355 third-party-advisory
- http://wiki.rpath.com/Advisories:rPSA-2008-0336
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:14705 vdb-entry signature
- 4462 third-party-advisory
- http://shinnok.evonet.ro/vulns_html/wireshark.html
- http://www.wireshark.org/security/wnpa-sec-2008-06.html
- 34144 third-party-advisory
- 31838 vdb-entry
- https://bugs.wireshark.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=2926
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:10955 vdb-entry signature
- RHSA-2009:0313 vendor-advisory
- ADV-2008-2872 vdb-entry
- MDVSA-2008:215 vendor-advisory
- 1021069 vdb-entry
- 6622 exploit
- 31468 vdb-entry
- wireshark-ncfpacket-dos(45505) vdb-entry