Description
The snoop_read function in wiretap/snoop.c in Wireshark 1.2.x before 1.2.17 and 1.4.x before 1.4.7 does not properly handle certain virtualizable buffers, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via a large length value in a snoop file that triggers a stack-based buffer over-read.
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 | 1.6.0-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | wireshark | 1.6.0-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | wireshark | 1.6.0-1 | — |
| 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 |
| RHEL 5 | wireshark +1 | 1.0.15-5.el5 | RHSA-2013:0125 |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | wireshark | 2.2.2-1.1 | openSUSE-SU-2024:10199-1 |
Advisories 4
- RHSA-2013:0125 Red Hat Security Advisory: wireshark security, bug fix, and enhancement update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- 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
- wireshark-snoop-dos(67792) vdb-entry
- 44958 third-party-advisory
- FEDORA-2011-7846 vendor-advisory
- http://www.wireshark.org/security/wnpa-sec-2011-07.html
- RHSA-2013:0125 vendor-advisory
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=710039
- 48947 third-party-advisory
- https://bugs.wireshark.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=5912
- 48066 vdb-entry
- http://anonsvn.wireshark.org/viewvc?view=revision&revision=37068
- http://www.wireshark.org/security/wnpa-sec-2011-08.html
- DSA-2274 vendor-advisory
- 44449 third-party-advisory
- [oss-security] 20110601 Re: CVE request for Wireshark 1.4.6/1.2.16 Multiple DoS issues mailing-list
- [oss-security] 20110601 Re: CVE request for Wireshark 1.4.6/1.2.16 Multiple DoS issues mailing-list
- FEDORA-2011-7821 vendor-advisory
- [oss-security] 20110531 CVE request for Wireshark 1.4.6/1.2.16 Multiple DoS issues mailing-list
- FEDORA-2011-7858 vendor-advisory
- 45149 third-party-advisory
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:14656 vdb-entry signature