CVE-2018-19624 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

Wireshark versions 2.6.0 to 2.6.4 and 2.4.0 to 2.4.10 were prone to crashing due to a vulnerability in the PVFS dissector. This CVE entry addresses the issue and the fix implemented to prevent a NULL pointer dereference.

Understanding CVE-2018-19624

This CVE entry pertains to a vulnerability in Wireshark versions 2.6.0 to 2.6.4 and 2.4.0 to 2.4.10 that could lead to a crash in the PVFS dissector.

What is CVE-2018-19624?

In Wireshark versions 2.6.0 to 2.6.4 and 2.4.0 to 2.4.10, a vulnerability in the PVFS dissector could cause the application to crash. The issue was resolved by fixing a NULL pointer dereference in the epan/dissectors/packet-pvfs2.c file.

The Impact of CVE-2018-19624

The vulnerability could potentially lead to a denial of service (DoS) situation where an attacker could exploit the flaw to crash Wireshark, disrupting network analysis and potentially causing data loss.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-19624

This section provides detailed technical information about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Wireshark versions 2.6.0 to 2.6.4 and 2.4.0 to 2.4.10 allowed for a crash in the PVFS dissector due to a NULL pointer dereference issue.

Affected Systems and Versions

Wireshark versions 2.6.0 to 2.6.4
Wireshark versions 2.4.0 to 2.4.10

Exploitation Mechanism

An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by crafting a malicious packet that triggers the NULL pointer dereference, leading to a crash in the PVFS dissector.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2018-19624, users and organizations can take the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Wireshark to the latest version that includes the fix for CVE-2018-19624.
Monitor official security advisories for any further updates or patches related to Wireshark vulnerabilities.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch software to ensure the latest security fixes are in place.
Employ network monitoring and intrusion detection systems to detect and mitigate potential attacks.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches provided by Wireshark promptly to address known vulnerabilities and enhance overall security posture.