CVE-2011-1591Wireshark Memory Corruption
Stack-based buffer overflow in the DECT dissector in epan/dissectors/packet-dect.c in Wireshark 1.4.x before 1.4.5 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted .pcap file.
Published Apr 29, 2011 · Updated Aug 4, 2026 · Also known as DEBIAN-CVE-2011-1591
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2011-1591 is a critical-severity vulnerability (CVSS 9.3 v2) affecting Wireshark, wireshark-devel (suse), wireshark-ui-gtk (suse) and 1 more product.
- It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog. Public exploit code is available.
- EPSS estimates a 42% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- Fixed versions are available, including Wireshark 1.4.5-1, Wireshark 2.2.2-1.1, wireshark-devel 2.2.2-1.1.
- 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)
42%
Higher than 98.6% of all scored CVEs
Exploit maturity
Weaponized
ATLAS score
61/100
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
Weaponized
Public exploit code
7
Proof-of-concept links
In-the-wild evidence
2
Reports of active use
Advisories And Exploit References
Description
Stack-based buffer overflow in the DECT dissector in epan/dissectors/packet-dect.c in Wireshark 1.4.x before 1.4.5 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted .pcap file.
Affected Products
20 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| WiresharkWireshark | 1.4.0, 1.4.1, 1.4.2, 1.4.3, 1.4.4 | 1.4.5-1 |
| wireshark-develsuse | See advisory | 2.2.2-1.1 |
| wireshark-ui-gtksuse | See advisory | 2.2.2-1.1 |
| wireshark-ui-qtsuse | See advisory | 2.2.2-1.1 |
Patched Releases
Wireshark
1.4.5-1, 2.2.2-1.1
wireshark-devel
2.2.2-1.1
wireshark-ui-gtk
2.2.2-1.1
wireshark-ui-qt
2.2.2-1.1
Timeline
Publicly disclosed
Apr 29, 2011
Last updated
Aug 4, 2026
Weakness Type
- CWE-119 Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer
- CWE-122 Heap-based Buffer Overflow
References
- advisorysecurity-tracker.debian.org · CVE-2011-1591
- advisoryADV-2011-1022
- exploitbugs.wireshark.org · show_bug.cgi
- exploitbugs.wireshark.org · show_bug.cgi
- exploitMSF wireshark_packet_dect.rb
FAQ
Common Questions.
Stack-based buffer overflow in the DECT dissector in epan/dissectors/packet-dect.c in Wireshark 1.4.x before 1.4.5 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted .pcap file.
Affected: Wireshark versions 1.4.0, 1.4.1, 1.4.2, 1.4.3, 1.4.4; wireshark-devel (suse); wireshark-ui-gtk (suse), 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 1.4.5-1, Wireshark 2.2.2-1.1, wireshark-devel 2.2.2-1.1.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because public exploit code exists for a high-severity flaw.
Is CVE-2011-1591 On Your Attack Surface?
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