CVE-2010-4538Wireshark Memory Corruption
Buffer overflow in the sect_enttec_dmx_da function in epan/dissectors/packet-enttec.c in Wireshark 1.4.2 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via a crafted ENTTEC DMX packet with Run Length Encoding (RLE)…
Published Jan 7, 2011 · Updated Aug 4, 2026 · Also known as DEBIAN-CVE-2010-4538, DSA-2144-1
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2010-4538 is a critical-severity vulnerability (CVSS 9.3 v2) affecting Wireshark, wireshark-devel (oracle), wireshark-gnome (oracle) and 2 more products.
- It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog. Public exploit code is available.
- EPSS estimates a 29% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- Fixed versions are available, including Wireshark 0:1.0.15-1.el4_8.3, Wireshark 0:1.0.15-1.el5_5.3, Wireshark 0:1.2.13-1.el6_0.2.
- Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because public exploit code exists for a high-severity flaw.
Scores
CVSS v2
9.3
AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
29%
Higher than 98.1% of all scored CVEs
Exploit maturity
Proof of concept
ATLAS score
42/100
Publication score, see How it works
Exploitation Verdict
KEV listed
Not listed
Federal due date
None
No federal due date
Ransomware use
Not reported
Attributed actors
None named
Exploit & Defence Guidance
Exploit maturity
Proof of concept
Public exploit code
1
Proof-of-concept links
In-the-wild evidence
0
Reports of active use
Advisories And Exploit References
Description
Buffer overflow in the sect_enttec_dmx_da function in epan/dissectors/packet-enttec.c in Wireshark 1.4.2 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via a crafted ENTTEC DMX packet with Run Length Encoding (RLE) compression.
Affected Products
25 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| WiresharkWireshark | 1.4.2 | 1.2.11-6 |
| wireshark-develoracle | See advisory | 1.2.13-1.0.1.el6_0.2 |
| wireshark-gnomeoracle | See advisory | 1.0.15-1.0.1.el5_5.3 |
| wireshark-ui-gtksuse | See advisory | 2.2.2-1.1 |
| wireshark-ui-qtsuse | See advisory | 2.2.2-1.1 |
Patched Releases
Wireshark
0:1.0.15-1.el4_8.3, 0:1.0.15-1.el5_5.3, 0:1.2.13-1.el6_0.2, 1.0.15-1.0.1.el5_5.3, 1.0.2-3+lenny12, 1.2.11-6, 1.2.13-1.0.1.el6_0.2, 2.2.2-1.1
wireshark-devel
1.2.13-1.0.1.el6_0.2, 2.2.2-1.1
wireshark-gnome
1.0.15-1.0.1.el5_5.3, 1.2.13-1.0.1.el6_0.2
wireshark-ui-gtk
2.2.2-1.1
wireshark-ui-qt
2.2.2-1.1
Timeline
Publicly disclosed
Jan 7, 2011
Last updated
Aug 4, 2026
Weakness Type
- CWE-119 Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer
References
- advisorysecurity-tracker.debian.org · CVE-2010-4538
- advisoryRHSA-2011:0013
- advisory42767
- patchbugs.wireshark.org · show_bug.cgi
- exploitExploitDB-15898
FAQ
Common Questions.
Buffer overflow in the sect_enttec_dmx_da function in epan/dissectors/packet-enttec.c in Wireshark 1.4.2 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via a crafted ENTTEC DMX packet with Run Length Encoding (RLE) compression.
Affected: Wireshark versions 1.4.2; wireshark-devel (oracle); wireshark-gnome (oracle), among others. The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog.
No, it is not currently listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
Public exploit code is available.
Fixed versions are available, including Wireshark 0:1.0.15-1.el4_8.3, Wireshark 0:1.0.15-1.el5_5.3, Wireshark 0:1.2.13-1.el6_0.2.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because public exploit code exists for a high-severity flaw.
Is CVE-2010-4538 On Your Attack Surface?
Brandefense matches it against the products discovered on your perimeter and opens a finding the day a CVE like this is listed.
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