CVE-2018-18226 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Learn about CVE-2018-18226, a memory consumption issue in Wireshark versions 2.6.0 to 2.6.3. Find out the impact, affected systems, exploitation risks, and mitigation steps.
Wireshark 2.6.0 to 2.6.3 had a memory consumption issue in the Steam IHS Discovery dissector, which has been resolved by modifying the memory-management approach.
Understanding CVE-2018-18226
This CVE entry addresses a memory consumption vulnerability in Wireshark versions 2.6.0 to 2.6.3 related to the Steam IHS Discovery dissector.
What is CVE-2018-18226?
In Wireshark versions 2.6.0 to 2.6.3, the Steam IHS Discovery dissector had a memory consumption problem that could impact system performance. The issue was located in the packet-steam-ihs-discovery.c file and has been fixed by adjusting the memory management.
The Impact of CVE-2018-18226
The vulnerability could lead to excessive memory usage, potentially causing system instability or crashes. Exploitation of this issue could result in denial of service or other security risks.
Technical Details of CVE-2018-18226
This section provides more in-depth technical insights into the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The memory consumption issue in the Steam IHS Discovery dissector in Wireshark versions 2.6.0 to 2.6.3 was caused by inefficient memory management, which has been rectified by changing the approach in the packet-steam-ihs-discovery.c file.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Wireshark versions 2.6.0 to 2.6.3
Exploitation Mechanism
Attackers could exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious network packets that trigger the memory consumption flaw, leading to potential system instability or crashes.
Mitigation and Prevention
To address CVE-2018-18226 and enhance overall system security, follow these mitigation strategies:
Immediate Steps to Take
- Update Wireshark to the latest version to apply the fix for the memory consumption issue.
- Monitor system resources for any unusual memory usage patterns.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update and patch software to prevent known vulnerabilities.
- Implement network monitoring and intrusion detection systems to detect abnormal network traffic.
Patching and Updates
- Apply security patches promptly to address any newly discovered vulnerabilities.
- Follow best practices for secure coding and memory management to prevent similar issues in the future.