CVE-2019-10897 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis
Learn about CVE-2019-10897 where Wireshark 3.0.0 fixed the issue of the IEEE 802.11 dissector entering an infinite loop, potentially leading to a denial of service (DoS) situation. Find out how to mitigate and prevent this vulnerability.
Wireshark 3.0.0 addressed the issue of the IEEE 802.11 dissector entering an endless loop by detecting cases where the bit offset does not progress.
Understanding CVE-2019-10897
In Wireshark 3.0.0, a specific problem related to the IEEE 802.11 dissector was resolved to prevent an infinite loop.
What is CVE-2019-10897?
The problem of the IEEE 802.11 dissector entering an endless loop was resolved in version 3.0.0 of Wireshark. The epan/dissectors/packet-ieee80211.c file was modified to identify instances where the bit offset does not progress.
The Impact of CVE-2019-10897
This vulnerability could potentially lead to a denial of service (DoS) situation due to the software entering an infinite loop, consuming excessive resources and causing the application to become unresponsive.
Technical Details of CVE-2019-10897
Wireshark 3.0.0 addressed the vulnerability with the IEEE 802.11 dissector through specific modifications.
Vulnerability Description
The issue in Wireshark 3.0.0 allowed the IEEE 802.11 dissector to enter an infinite loop, impacting the software's functionality and potentially leading to a DoS scenario.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Product: Wireshark
- Version: 3.0.0
Exploitation Mechanism
The vulnerability could be exploited by crafting a malicious network packet that triggers the infinite loop in the IEEE 802.11 dissector, causing the software to hang or crash.
Mitigation and Prevention
To address CVE-2019-10897 and enhance overall security:
Immediate Steps to Take
- Update Wireshark to version 3.0.0 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
- Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity that could indicate exploitation of the vulnerability.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update software and security patches to protect against known vulnerabilities.
- Implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the impact of potential attacks.
Patching and Updates
- Stay informed about security advisories and updates from Wireshark to promptly apply patches and fixes.