Wireshark: NULL Pointer Dereference
CVE-2022-0582 is a critical-severity NULL pointer dereference vulnerability in Wireshark from Wireshark Foundation, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected Wireshark versions: >=3.6.0, <3.6.2; >=3.4.0, <3.4.12. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 1.99% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 81% of scored CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Check which version of Wireshark you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Read the advisory on wireshark.org for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wireshark Foundation | Wireshark | >=3.6.0, <3.6.2; >=3.4.0, <3.4.12 | Not stated |
| Fedora Project | Fedora | 34; 35 | Not stated |
| Debian | Debian Linux | 9.0 | Not stated |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 6.3 | Medium | CNA (gitlab.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.8 | Critical | NVD |
| CVSS 2.0 | 7.5 | High | NVD |
Official description
Unaligned access in the CSN.1 protocol dissector in Wireshark 3.6.0 to 3.6.1 and 3.4.0 to 3.4.11 allows denial of service via packet injection or crafted capture file
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: NULL Pointer Dereference
The product dereferences a pointer that it expects to be valid but is NULL.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- For any pointers that could have been modified or provided from a function that can return NULL, check the pointer for NULL before use. When working with a multithreaded or otherwise asynchronous environment, ensure that proper locking APIs are used to lock before the check, and unlock when it has finished.
- Select a programming language that is not susceptible to these issues.
- Check the results of all functions that return a value and verify that the value is non-null before acting upon it.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
- wireshark.org/security/wnpa-sec-2022-04.htmlIssue Tracking
Third-party and government advisories
- gitlab.com/gitlab-org/cves/-/blob/master/2022/CVE-2022-0582.jsonThird Party Advisory
- lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2022/03/msg00041.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
- security.gentoo.org/glsa/202210-04Third Party Advisory
Technical write-ups (may include proof of concept)
- gitlab.com/wireshark/wireshark/-/issues/17882Exploit, Issue Tracking, Third Party Advisory
Other references
Recent NULL Pointer Dereference vulnerabilities
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
Spotted an error? Tell us.