CVE-2022-0581 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Wireshark 3.6.0 to 3.6.1 and 3.4.0 to 3.4.11 are affected by a crash in the CMS protocol dissector, allowing denial of service via packet injection or crafted capture file.

Understanding CVE-2022-0581

This CVE details a vulnerability in Wireshark versions 3.6.0 to 3.6.1 and 3.4.0 to 3.4.11 that can be exploited to cause a denial of service by injecting packets or using a crafted capture file.

What is CVE-2022-0581?

The CVE-2022-0581 vulnerability is due to a crash in the CMS protocol dissector in Wireshark versions specified above. Attackers can exploit this issue to disrupt services by injecting malicious packets or leveraging a specially crafted capture file.

The Impact of CVE-2022-0581

This vulnerability poses a medium severity risk with a CVSS base score of 6.3. It can lead to denial of service conditions in affected systems running vulnerable Wireshark versions.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-0581

Wireshark Foundation's Wireshark software versions 3.6.0 to 3.6.1 and 3.4.0 to 3.4.11 are vulnerable to a crash triggered within the CMS protocol dissector, potentially enabling denial of service attacks.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability stems from a failure to release memory after its effective lifetime in Wireshark, leading to a crash in the CMS protocol dissector.

Affected Systems and Versions

Systems running Wireshark versions 3.6.0 to 3.6.1 and 3.4.0 to 3.4.11 are impacted by this vulnerability, exposing them to potential denial of service attacks.

Exploitation Mechanism

An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by injecting specially crafted packets or utilizing manipulated capture files to trigger a crash in the CMS protocol dissector, resulting in a denial of service.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2022-0581, immediate steps should be taken to mitigate the risk and prevent potential exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Wireshark to versions 3.6.2 or higher for the 3.6.x branch and versions 3.4.12 or above for the 3.4.x branch to mitigate the vulnerability.
Regularly monitor for security advisories and apply patches promptly to stay protected against emerging threats.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement network segmentation to contain potential attacks and limit their impact on critical systems.
Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify and remediate vulnerabilities proactively.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates released by Wireshark Foundation and promptly apply patches to ensure your systems are shielded against known vulnerabilities.