CVE-2018-19622 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

Wireshark versions 2.6.0 to 2.6.4 and 2.4.0 to 2.4.10 were affected by an issue in the MMSE dissector causing an infinite loop. Learn about the impact, technical details, and mitigation steps.

Understanding CVE-2018-19622

What is CVE-2018-19622?

In Wireshark versions 2.6.0 to 2.6.4 and 2.4.0 to 2.4.10, a vulnerability in the MMSE dissector could lead to an infinite loop, impacting the application's functionality.

The Impact of CVE-2018-19622

The vulnerability could result in the MMSE dissector entering an infinite loop, potentially causing denial of service or other adverse effects on the affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-19622

Vulnerability Description

The issue was resolved by implementing measures in the epan/dissectors/packet-mmse.c file to prevent length overflows, addressing the root cause of the infinite loop.

Affected Systems and Versions

Wireshark versions 2.6.0 to 2.6.4
Wireshark versions 2.4.0 to 2.4.10

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability could be exploited by crafting a malicious network packet that triggers the MMSE dissector to enter the infinite loop, potentially leading to a denial of service condition.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Wireshark to the latest patched version to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor network traffic for any signs of exploitation or abnormal behavior.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch all software to prevent known vulnerabilities.
Implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the impact of potential attacks.
Conduct regular security assessments and audits to identify and address security weaknesses.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that all systems running Wireshark are regularly updated with the latest security patches to protect against known vulnerabilities.