CVE-2004-0507

Buffer overflow in the MMSE dissector for Ethereal 0.10.1 to 0.10.3 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service and possibly execute arbitrary code

published June 3, 2004

CVSS
—
EPSS
8%
Percentile
94.5
In the wild
Unconfirmed
What it is

⚠️ A classic buffer overflow in the MMSE dissector is like a crowded elevator that just can't hold any more passengers! 🚧 Picture this: you've packed an elevator so full that the doors can't close properly. When someone tries to squeeze in, it can cause a jam, potentially damaging the entire system! Similarly, the buffer overflow in Ethereal 0.10.1 to 0.10.3 allows attackers to send too much data, leading to a denial of service and the potential for chaos. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to overwhelm the Ethereal application, causing it to crash and become unresponsive. In worse scenarios, they might gain the ability to execute arbitrary code, unleashing a host of problems including data breaches or system takeovers.

Put simply

Picture this: you've packed an elevator so full that the doors can't close properly. When someone tries to squeeze in, it can cause a jam, potentially damaging the entire system! Similarly, the buffer overflow in Ethereal 0.10.1 to 0.10.3 allows attackers to send too much data, leading to a denial of service and the potential for chaos. This vulnerability stems from insufficient bounds checking in the MMSE dissector, which allows an attacker to send a specially crafted packet that overflows the buffer, leading to possible denial of service or malicious code execution.

What to do

An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to overwhelm the Ethereal application, causing it to crash and become unresponsive. In worse scenarios, they might gain the ability to execute arbitrary code, unleashing a host of problems including data breaches or system takeovers. To mitigate this issue, update Ethereal to a patched version beyond 0.10.3. Additionally, consider implementing strict input validation to prevent buffer overflows in your applications. You've got this! With a timely update and some smart coding practices, you can keep your systems secure! 🛡️

The record
Technical detail
CVSS
Not scored
CVSS v4.0
Not supplied
EPSS
0.07640 · 94.5th percentile
Published
2004-06-03T04:00Z
EPSS history
Timeline
  • 03 JUN 04:00Z
    Buffer overflow in the MMSE dissector for Ethereal 0.10.1 to 0.10.3 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service and possibly execute arbitrary code
    cvelistv5