Description
The ascend_seek function in wiretap/ascendtext.c in the Ascend file parser in Wireshark 1.12.x before 1.12.9 and 2.0.x before 2.0.1 does not ensure the presence of a '\0' character at the end of a date string, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds read and application crash) via a crafted 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 | 2.0.1+g59ea380-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | wireshark | 2.0.1+g59ea380-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | wireshark | 2.0.1+g59ea380-1 | — |
| Debian 8 | wireshark | 1.12.1+g01b65bf-4+deb8u4 | DSA-3505-1 |
| Debian 7 | wireshark | 1.8.2-5wheezy17 | DSA-3505-1 |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 18.04 LTS | wireshark | 2.6.3-1~ubuntu18.04.1 | — |
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | wireshark | 2.6.3-1~ubuntu16.04.1 | — |
| Ubuntu 14.04 LTS | wireshark | 2.6.3-1~ubuntu14.04.1 | — |
SUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES 12 SP1 | wireshark | 1.12.9-22.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:0109-1 |
| SLES 12 | wireshark | 1.12.9-22.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:0109-1 |
| SLES 11 SP4 | wireshark | 1.12.9-0.12.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:0110-1 |
| SLES 11 SP3 | wireshark | 1.12.9-0.12.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:0110-1 |
Show 4 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES for SAP 12 SP1 | wireshark | 1.12.9-22.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:0109-1 |
| SLES for SAP 12 | wireshark | 1.12.9-22.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:0109-1 |
| SLES for SAP 11 SP4 | wireshark | 1.12.9-0.12.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:0110-1 |
| SLES for SAP 11 SP3 | wireshark | 1.12.9-0.12.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:0110-1 |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | wireshark | 2.2.2-1.1 | openSUSE-SU-2024:10199-1 |
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.
Exploit-DB 1
- Wireshark - ascend_seek Static Out-of-Bounds Read EDB-39001 · dos · Dec 16, 2015 · verified
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 4
- DSA-3505-1 wireshark - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2016:0110-1 Security update for wireshark SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2024:10199-1 wireshark-2.2.2-1.1 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2016:0109-1 Security update for wireshark SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
References
- https://code.wireshark.org/review/gitweb?p=wireshark.git%3Ba=commit%3Bh=338da1c0ea0b2f8595d3a7b6d6c9548f7da3e27b
- 79382 vdb-entry
- DSA-3505 vendor-advisory
- GLSA-201604-05 vendor-advisory
- http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/bulletinjan2016-2867206.html
- https://bugs.wireshark.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=11794
- http://www.wireshark.org/security/wnpa-sec-2015-47.html
- 1034551 vdb-entry