Description
Heap-based buffer overflow in the erf_read_header function in wiretap/erf.c in the ERF file parser in Wireshark 1.4.0 through 1.4.9 and 1.6.x before 1.6.3 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via a malformed 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 | 1.6.3-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | wireshark | 1.6.3-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | wireshark | 1.6.3-1 | — |
| Debian 6.0 | wireshark | 1.2.11-6+squeeze5 | DSA-2351-1 |
| Debian 5.0 | wireshark | 1.0.2-3+lenny16 | DSA-2351-1 |
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 |
Advisories 3
- 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-2351-1 wireshark - buffer overflow Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=750648
- RHSA-2013:0125 vendor-advisory
- 48947 third-party-advisory
- 50486 vdb-entry
- 46913 third-party-advisory
- http://anonsvn.wireshark.org/viewvc?view=revision&revision=39508
- http://www.wireshark.org/security/wnpa-sec-2011-19.html
- 76770 vdb-entry
- 46644 third-party-advisory
- wireshark-erf-bo(71092) vdb-entry
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:15073 vdb-entry signature
- https://bugs.wireshark.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=6479
- [oss-security] 20111101 Re: CVE request for wireshark flaws mailing-list