Description
The http_payload_subdissector function in epan/dissectors/packet-http.c in the HTTP dissector in Wireshark 1.6.x before 1.6.16 and 1.8.x before 1.8.8 does not properly determine when to use a recursive approach, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (stack consumption) via a crafted packet.
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 | 1.10.0-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | wireshark | 1.10.0-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | wireshark | 1.10.0-1 | — |
| Debian 7 | wireshark | 1.8.2-5wheezy4 | DSA-2709-1 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 6 | wireshark +2 | 1.8.10-4.el6 | RHSA-2013:1569 |
| RHEL 5 | wireshark +1 | 1.0.15-6.el5_10 | RHSA-2014:0341 |
Advisories 3
- RHSA-2014:0341 Red Hat Security Advisory: wireshark security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- RHSA-2013:1569 Red Hat Security Advisory: wireshark security, bug fix, and enhancement update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- DSA-2709-1 wireshark - several Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- http://www.wireshark.org/docs/relnotes/wireshark-1.8.8.html
- 53762 third-party-advisory
- http://www.wireshark.org/security/wnpa-sec-2013-39.html
- RHSA-2014:0341 vendor-advisory
- 54425 third-party-advisory
- http://anonsvn.wireshark.org/viewvc/trunk/epan/dissectors/packet-http.c?r1=49623&r2=49622&pathrev=49623
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:16820 vdb-entry signature
- GLSA-201308-05 vendor-advisory
- 60505 vdb-entry
- openSUSE-SU-2013:1086 vendor-advisory
- http://www.wireshark.org/docs/relnotes/wireshark-1.6.16.html
- DSA-2709 vendor-advisory
- MDVSA-2013:172 vendor-advisory
- https://bugs.wireshark.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=8733
- http://anonsvn.wireshark.org/viewvc?view=revision&revision=49623
- openSUSE-SU-2013:1084 vendor-advisory