CVE-2017-11406 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Wireshark versions 2.2.0 to 2.2.7 and 2.0.0 to 2.0.13 were susceptible to an infinite loop issue in the DOCSIS dissector, which has been resolved by rejecting invalid Frame Control parameter values.

Understanding CVE-2017-11406

This CVE entry addresses a vulnerability in Wireshark that could lead to an infinite loop in specific versions of the software.

What is CVE-2017-11406?

In Wireshark versions 2.2.0 to 2.2.7 and 2.0.0 to 2.0.13, a flaw in the DOCSIS dissector could cause the software to enter an infinite loop, potentially leading to denial of service or other security issues.

The Impact of CVE-2017-11406

The vulnerability could be exploited by an attacker to crash Wireshark or potentially execute arbitrary code on a system running a vulnerable version of the software.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-11406

Wireshark's DOCSIS dissector vulnerability is described in detail below:

Vulnerability Description

The issue arises from the DOCSIS dissector in Wireshark versions 2.2.0 to 2.2.7 and 2.0.0 to 2.0.13, allowing an attacker to trigger an infinite loop.

Affected Systems and Versions

Versions 2.2.0 to 2.2.7
Versions 2.0.0 to 2.0.13

Exploitation Mechanism

By sending specially crafted DOCSIS packets to a system running a vulnerable version of Wireshark, an attacker could exploit this vulnerability to cause a denial of service or potentially execute arbitrary code.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2017-11406, consider the following mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Wireshark to the latest version to eliminate the vulnerability.
Avoid opening suspicious or untrusted capture files in Wireshark.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update Wireshark and other software to patch known vulnerabilities.
Implement network segmentation to limit the impact of potential attacks.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that Wireshark is regularly updated to the latest version to protect against known vulnerabilities.