CVE-2018-7329 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

Wireshark versions 2.4.0 to 2.4.4 and 2.2.0 to 2.2.12 were affected by a continuous loop issue in epan/dissectors/packet-s7comm.c, leading to an infinite loop problem. This CVE was resolved by addressing off-by-one errors.

Understanding CVE-2018-7329

What is CVE-2018-7329?

In Wireshark versions 2.4.0 to 2.4.4 and 2.2.0 to 2.2.12, a specific file had a flaw causing an infinite loop, which was fixed by correcting off-by-one errors.

The Impact of CVE-2018-7329

This vulnerability could potentially lead to denial of service (DoS) attacks due to the continuous loop issue, impacting the availability of the affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-7329

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in epan/dissectors/packet-s7comm.c caused an infinite loop due to errors in calculations, which could be exploited by attackers.

Affected Systems and Versions

Wireshark versions 2.4.0 to 2.4.4
Wireshark versions 2.2.0 to 2.2.12

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers could exploit this vulnerability by sending specially crafted network packets to trigger the infinite loop, potentially leading to a DoS condition.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Wireshark to the latest version to patch the vulnerability.
Monitor network traffic for any unusual patterns that could indicate exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch all software to prevent known vulnerabilities.
Implement network segmentation to limit the impact of potential attacks.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely installation of security updates and patches provided by Wireshark to address this vulnerability.