CVE-2023-1161 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE record pertains to a vulnerability in Wireshark versions 4.0.0 to 4.0.3 and 3.6.0 to 3.6.11, identified as CVE-2023-1161. The vulnerability can potentially lead to a denial of service through packet injection or a crafted capture file.

Understanding CVE-2023-1161

Wireshark, a widely used network protocol analyzer, contains a flaw in its ISO 15765 and ISO 10681 dissectors which can result in a crash.

What is CVE-2023-1161?

CVE-2023-1161 is a vulnerability in Wireshark that allows for denial of service attacks when handling certain packet injections or specially crafted capture files.

The Impact of CVE-2023-1161

The impact of this vulnerability is categorized as medium with a CVSS base score of 6.3. If exploited, it could lead to a crash of the Wireshark application, potentially disrupting network monitoring activities.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-1161

This section provides specific details about the vulnerability, including the affected systems and versions, as well as the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability involves a buffer copy without checking the size of input in the Wireshark software, which could result in a classic buffer overflow situation.

Affected Systems and Versions

Wireshark versions 4.0.0 to 4.0.3 and 3.6.0 to 3.6.11 are affected by this vulnerability. Systems running these versions are at risk of exploitation.

Exploitation Mechanism

An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by sending malicious packets or providing a crafted capture file to the Wireshark application, triggering the denial of service condition.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2023-1161 and protect systems from potential exploitation, several mitigation steps can be taken.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users should update their Wireshark installations to versions that are not affected by the vulnerability.
Avoid opening suspicious or untrusted packet captures using Wireshark.
Monitor vendor advisories for patches and updates related to this vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update Wireshark and other software to the latest versions to ensure security patches are implemented promptly.
Implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the exposure of network monitoring tools to potential threats.

Patching and Updates

Refer to the vendor advisories and security updates provided by Wireshark Foundation and relevant Linux distributions to apply patches that address CVE-2023-1161. Keep software and systems up to date to mitigate risks associated with known vulnerabilities.