CVE-2017-7748 : Security Advisory and Response

Wireshark versions 2.2.0 to 2.2.5 and 2.0.0 to 2.0.11 were affected by a vulnerability in the WSP dissector that could lead to an infinite loop when triggered by packet injection or malformed capture files. A fix was implemented by adding a length check in the packet-wsp.c file.

Understanding CVE-2017-7748

This CVE entry pertains to a specific vulnerability found in Wireshark versions 2.2.0 to 2.2.5 and 2.0.0 to 2.0.11.

What is CVE-2017-7748?

The issue in Wireshark versions 2.2.0 to 2.2.5 and 2.0.0 to 2.0.11 allowed the WSP dissector to enter an infinite loop, which could be triggered by packet injection or malformed capture files.

The Impact of CVE-2017-7748

The vulnerability could potentially lead to denial of service (DoS) due to the infinite loop condition, impacting the availability of the Wireshark application.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-7748

Wireshark versions 2.2.0 to 2.2.5 and 2.0.0 to 2.0.11 were affected by this vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The WSP dissector in Wireshark had a flaw that could cause it to enter an infinite loop, leading to a DoS condition.

Affected Systems and Versions

Wireshark versions 2.2.0 to 2.2.5
Wireshark versions 2.0.0 to 2.0.11

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability could be exploited by injecting specific packets or using malformed capture files to trigger the infinite loop in the WSP dissector.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2017-7748, consider the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Wireshark to a patched version that includes the fix for the WSP dissector vulnerability.
Avoid opening suspicious or untrusted capture files to mitigate potential exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update Wireshark and other software to the latest versions to patch known vulnerabilities.
Implement network monitoring and intrusion detection systems to identify unusual traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that Wireshark is kept up to date with the latest security patches and fixes to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.