Description
Multiple buffer overflows in the LWRES dissector in Wireshark 0.9.15 through 1.0.10 and 1.2.0 through 1.2.5 allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via a malformed packet, as demonstrated using a stack-based buffer overflow to the dissect_getaddrsbyname_request function.
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 | 1.2.6-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | wireshark | 1.2.6-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | wireshark | 1.2.6-1 | — |
| Debian 5.0 | wireshark | 1.0.2-3+lenny8 | DSA-1983-1 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 5 | wireshark +1 | 1.0.11-1.el5_5.5 | RHSA-2010:0360 |
| RHEL 4 | wireshark +1 | 1.0.11-1.el4_8.5 | RHSA-2010:0360 |
| RHEL 3 | wireshark +1 | 1.0.11-EL3.6 | RHSA-2010:0360 |
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.
Metasploit 2 modules
-
Wireshark LWRES Dissector getaddrsbyname_request Buffer Overflow
exploit/multi/misc/wireshark_lwres_getaddrbyname
-
Wireshark LWRES Dissector getaddrsbyname_request Buffer Overflow (loop)
exploit/multi/misc/wireshark_lwres_getaddrbyname_loop
Exploit-DB 3
- Wireshark - LWRES Dissector getaddrsbyname_request Buffer Overflow (Loop) (Metasploit) EDB-16292 · remote · Nov 24, 2010 · verified
- Wireshark - LWRES Dissector getaddrsbyname_request Buffer Overflow (Metasploit) EDB-16289 · remote · Feb 11, 2010 · verified
- Wireshark 1.2.5 - 'LWRES getaddrbyname' Stack Buffer Overflow (PoC) EDB-11288 · dos · Jan 29, 2010 · verified
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 2
- RHSA-2010:0360 Red Hat Security Advisory: wireshark security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- DSA-1983-1 wireshark - several vulnerabilities Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- DSA-1983 vendor-advisory
- http://www.wireshark.org/security/wnpa-sec-2010-02.html
- [oss-security] 20100129 Re: CVE id request: Wireshark mailing-list
- http://www.metasploit.com/modules/exploit/multi/misc/wireshark_lwres_getaddrbyname
- 38348 third-party-advisory
- 38829 third-party-advisory
- 37985 vdb-entry
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:9933 vdb-entry signature
- 61987 vdb-entry
- 38257 third-party-advisory
- ADV-2010-0239 vdb-entry
- http://anonsvn.wireshark.org/viewvc/trunk-1.2/epan/dissectors/packet-lwres.c?view=diff&r1=31596&r2=28492&diff_format=h
- 1023516 vdb-entry
- MDVSA-2010:031 vendor-advisory
- wireshark-lwres-bo(55951) vdb-entry
- http://www.wireshark.org/security/wnpa-sec-2010-01.html
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:8490 vdb-entry signature
- FEDORA-2010-3556 vendor-advisory