Description
The ngsniffer_process_record function in wiretap/ngsniffer.c in the Sniffer file parser in Wireshark 1.12.x before 1.12.9 and 2.0.x before 2.0.1 does not validate the relationships between record lengths and record header lengths, 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 - 'infer_pkt_encap' Heap Out-of-Bounds Read EDB-39076 · dos · Dec 22, 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=53a3e53fce30523d11ab3df319fba7b75d63076f
- DSA-3505 vendor-advisory
- 79814 vdb-entry
- https://bugs.wireshark.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=11827
- GLSA-201604-05 vendor-advisory
- http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/bulletinjan2016-2867206.html
- http://www.wireshark.org/security/wnpa-sec-2015-51.html
- 1034551 vdb-entry