Description
The X.509if dissector in Wireshark 1.2.x before 1.2.16 and 1.4.x before 1.4.5 does not properly initialize certain global variables, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via a crafted .pcap file.
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 | 1.4.5-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | wireshark | 1.4.5-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | wireshark | 1.4.5-1 | — |
| Debian 6.0 | wireshark | 1.2.11-6+squeeze2 | DSA-2274-1 |
| Debian 5.0 | wireshark | 1.0.2-3+lenny14 | DSA-2274-1 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 6 | wireshark +2 | 1.2.15-2.el6_2.1 | RHSA-2012:0509 |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | wireshark | 2.2.2-1.1 | openSUSE-SU-2024:10199-1 |
Advisories 3
- RHSA-2012:0509 Red Hat Security Advisory: wireshark security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- DSA-2274-1 wireshark - multiple Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2024:10199-1 wireshark-2.2.2-1.1 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
References
- https://bugs.wireshark.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=5793
- MDVSA-2011:083 vendor-advisory
- FEDORA-2011-5621 vendor-advisory
- FEDORA-2011-5529 vendor-advisory
- 48947 third-party-advisory
- [oss-security] 20110418 Re: Wireshark 1.2.16 / 1.4.5 mailing-list
- http://www.wireshark.org/security/wnpa-sec-2011-05.html
- https://bugs.wireshark.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=5754
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:15050 vdb-entry signature
- SUSE-SU-2011:0611 vendor-advisory
- FEDORA-2011-5569 vendor-advisory
- DSA-2274 vendor-advisory
- 44374 third-party-advisory
- 71846 vdb-entry
- http://anonsvn.wireshark.org/viewvc?revision=36608&view=revision
- 44822 third-party-advisory
- http://www.wireshark.org/security/wnpa-sec-2011-06.html
- 44172 third-party-advisory
- ADV-2011-1022 vdb-entry
- 1025388 vdb-entry
- [oss-security] 20110418 Wireshark 1.2.16 / 1.4.5 mailing-list
- ADV-2011-1106 vdb-entry
- 45149 third-party-advisory