CVE-2023-2952 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

This CVE record, published on May 30, 2023, and assigned by GitLab, highlights a vulnerability in Wireshark versions 4.0.0 to 4.0.5 and 3.6.0 to 3.6.13 that allows for denial of service through packet injection or a crafted capture file.

Understanding CVE-2023-2952

This section delves into the details and impact of the CVE-2023-2952 vulnerability.

What is CVE-2023-2952?

The CVE-2023-2952 vulnerability is an XRA dissector infinite loop in Wireshark 4.0.0 to 4.0.5 and 3.6.0 to 3.6.13, enabling a denial of service attack via packet injection or a specially crafted capture file.

The Impact of CVE-2023-2952

This vulnerability, if exploited, can lead to a denial of service, disrupting the normal operation of affected Wireshark versions. Attackers could potentially exploit this vulnerability to cause system unavailability.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-2952

Here are the technical aspects of CVE-2023-2952, including the vulnerability description, affected systems, and exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability involves an infinite loop in the XRA dissector of Wireshark, which allows attackers to trigger a denial of service using packet injection methods or maliciously crafted capture files.

Affected Systems and Versions

The Wireshark Foundation's Wireshark versions >=4.0.0 and <4.0.6, as well as versions >=3.6.0 and <3.6.14, are impacted by this vulnerability, making systems running these versions susceptible to exploitation.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit the CVE-2023-2952 vulnerability by injecting malicious packets or utilizing specially crafted capture files to trigger the infinite loop in the XRA dissector, leading to a denial of service condition.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard systems from the risks associated with CVE-2023-2952, certain immediate steps and long-term security practices can be implemented.

Immediate Steps to Take

Immediately applying security updates and patches released by Wireshark Foundation or relevant vendors can help mitigate the risk of exploitation. Additionally, network monitoring and filtering can aid in detecting and preventing malicious traffic targeting this vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

In the long term, organizations should emphasize proactive vulnerability management, regular security audits, and timely software updates to address any potential vulnerabilities promptly. Employee training on security best practices can also enhance overall cybersecurity posture.

Patching and Updates

Regularly monitoring security advisories from Wireshark Foundation and related vendors, and promptly applying patches and updates, is essential to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-2952. Implementing a robust patch management process can help mitigate risks and ensure system security.