CVE-2018-16056 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Wireshark versions 2.6.0 to 2.6.2, 2.4.0 to 2.4.8, and 2.2.0 to 2.2.16 were affected by a vulnerability in the Bluetooth Attribute Protocol dissector that could lead to a crash. The issue was resolved by implementing a verification step in the code.

Understanding CVE-2018-16056

This CVE entry pertains to a specific vulnerability found in Wireshark versions.

What is CVE-2018-16056?

Wireshark versions 2.6.0 to 2.6.2, 2.4.0 to 2.4.8, and 2.2.0 to 2.2.16 were susceptible to a crash triggered by the Bluetooth Attribute Protocol dissector. The problem was mitigated by adding a verification check in the packet-btatt.c code.

The Impact of CVE-2018-16056

The vulnerability could potentially lead to a crash in Wireshark when processing Bluetooth Attribute Protocol packets, affecting the stability and reliability of the software.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-16056

This section delves into the technical aspects of the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The issue resided in the Bluetooth Attribute Protocol dissector of Wireshark, allowing for a crash to occur under specific conditions. The fix involved verifying the presence of a dissector for a particular UUID.

Affected Systems and Versions

Wireshark versions 2.6.0 to 2.6.2
Wireshark versions 2.4.0 to 2.4.8
Wireshark versions 2.2.0 to 2.2.16

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability could be exploited by crafting malicious Bluetooth Attribute Protocol packets to trigger the crash in Wireshark.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2018-16056 is crucial to maintaining security.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Wireshark to the latest version to ensure the vulnerability is patched.
Avoid opening suspicious or untrusted network captures to mitigate potential risks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch software to address known vulnerabilities.
Employ network monitoring tools to detect unusual network activity that may indicate exploitation attempts.

Patching and Updates

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