CVE-2019-10896 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Wireshark versions 2.4.0 to 2.4.13, 2.6.0 to 2.6.7, and 3.0.0 were affected by a DOF dissector issue causing crashes, which has been resolved by implementing fixes in the code.

Understanding CVE-2019-10896

This CVE entry addresses a vulnerability in Wireshark versions 2.4.0 to 2.4.13, 2.6.0 to 2.6.7, and 3.0.0 related to the DOF dissector.

What is CVE-2019-10896?

In Wireshark versions 2.4.0 to 2.4.13, 2.6.0 to 2.6.7, and 3.0.0, a specific issue in the DOF dissector could lead to crashes.

The Impact of CVE-2019-10896

The vulnerability could result in crashes of Wireshark instances, potentially causing denial of service.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-10896

This section provides more in-depth technical insights into the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The problem stemmed from the DOF dissector's inability to handle generated IID and OID bytes correctly, leading to crashes.

Affected Systems and Versions

Wireshark versions 2.4.0 to 2.4.13
Wireshark versions 2.6.0 to 2.6.7
Wireshark version 3.0.0

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploitation of this vulnerability could be achieved by crafting specific network packets to trigger the crash in affected Wireshark versions.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2019-10896 involves taking immediate and long-term security measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Wireshark to the latest patched version to mitigate the vulnerability.
Avoid opening suspicious or untrusted network captures.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update Wireshark and other software to patch known vulnerabilities.
Implement network monitoring and intrusion detection systems to identify unusual network traffic.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely application of security patches and updates provided by Wireshark to address CVE-2019-10896.