CVE-2018-7421 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
CVE-2018-7421 impacted Wireshark versions 2.2.0 to 2.2.12 and 2.4.0 to 2.4.4, causing the DMP dissector to enter an infinite loop. Learn about the vulnerability, its impact, and mitigation steps.
Wireshark versions 2.2.0 to 2.2.12 and 2.4.0 to 2.4.4 were affected by a bug in the DMP dissector that caused it to enter an endless loop. The issue was resolved by modifying the code to handle a limited number of Security Categories for a DMP Security Classification.
Understanding CVE-2018-7421
This CVE entry pertains to a vulnerability in Wireshark versions 2.2.0 to 2.2.12 and 2.4.0 to 2.4.4 related to the DMP dissector.
What is CVE-2018-7421?
The vulnerability in Wireshark versions 2.2.0 to 2.2.12 and 2.4.0 to 2.4.4 allowed the DMP dissector to get stuck in an infinite loop due to a coding error.
The Impact of CVE-2018-7421
The vulnerability could potentially lead to denial of service (DoS) as the DMP dissector could consume excessive resources and cause the application to become unresponsive.
Technical Details of CVE-2018-7421
Wireshark vulnerability details and impact.
Vulnerability Description
The bug in the DMP dissector caused it to enter an endless loop, impacting versions 2.2.0 to 2.2.12 and 2.4.0 to 2.4.4. The issue was addressed by adjusting the handling of Security Categories.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Wireshark versions 2.2.0 to 2.2.12
- Wireshark versions 2.4.0 to 2.4.4
Exploitation Mechanism
An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending specially crafted DMP packets to a target system running the affected Wireshark versions, triggering the infinite loop in the DMP dissector.
Mitigation and Prevention
Protecting systems from CVE-2018-7421.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Update Wireshark to the latest version to apply the necessary patches that address the DMP dissector bug.
- Monitor network traffic for any signs of abnormal DMP packet behavior.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update and patch software to mitigate known vulnerabilities.
- Implement network segmentation to limit the impact of potential attacks.
Patching and Updates
Ensure timely installation of software updates and security patches to prevent exploitation of vulnerabilities like CVE-2018-7421.