CVE-2023-1993 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE record, assigned by GitLab, pertains to a vulnerability in Wireshark versions 4.0.0 to 4.0.4 and 3.6.0 to 3.6.12 that allows denial of service through packet injection or crafted capture files.

Understanding CVE-2023-1993

This section delves into the specifics of CVE-2023-1993, including its impact, technical details, affected systems, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-1993?

CVE-2023-1993 involves a LISP dissector large loop in Wireshark, enabling a denial of service attack by exploiting packet injection or specially crafted capture files.

The Impact of CVE-2023-1993

The impact of this vulnerability lies in its ability to disrupt normal network traffic analysis and cause a denial of service to affected systems running the vulnerable versions of Wireshark.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-1993

This section provides a deeper insight into the technical aspects of the CVE, including vulnerability description, affected systems, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from an excessive iteration issue in Wireshark's LISP dissector, which can be abused to trigger a denial of service condition.

Affected Systems and Versions

Wireshark versions 4.0.0 to 4.0.4 (inclusive) and 3.6.0 to 3.6.12 (inclusive) are impacted by this CVE, making systems running these versions vulnerable to exploitation.

Exploitation Mechanism

By sending malicious packets or utilizing crafted capture files, threat actors can exploit the LISP dissector large loop flaw in Wireshark to launch denial of service attacks.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard systems from CVE-2023-1993, it is crucial to implement immediate protective measures and establish long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Wireshark to a non-vulnerable version.
Employ network monitoring solutions to detect any anomalous activity.
Restrict network access to only trusted sources.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and applications to patch known vulnerabilities.
Conduct security assessments and audits to identify and address potential weaknesses.
Educate users and IT staff on best practices for network security and threat mitigation.

Patching and Updates

Refer to the provided vendor advisories and security updates from Wireshark Foundation to apply the necessary patches and protect systems from CVE-2023-1993.