Source: cve@gitlab.com
Crash in the Sysdig Event dissector in Wireshark 3.6.0 and 3.4.0 to 3.4.10 allows denial of service via packet injection or crafted capture file
Wireshark, a widely used network protocol analyzer, is vulnerable to a denial-of-service (DoS) attack. A flaw in the Sysdig Event dissector allows attackers to crash Wireshark by injecting malicious packets or opening a crafted capture file, rendering the application unusable and potentially disrupting network analysis operations. This vulnerability poses a significant risk to organizations relying on Wireshark for security monitoring and troubleshooting.
Step 1: Payload Delivery: The attacker crafts a malicious Sysdig event packet or creates a capture file (.pcap or .pcapng) containing the crafted packet. This packet is designed to exploit a vulnerability within the Sysdig Event dissector of Wireshark.
Step 2: Packet Injection/File Opening: The attacker either injects the malicious packet directly onto a network monitored by Wireshark or convinces a user to open the crafted capture file within Wireshark.
Step 3: Dissection Trigger: Wireshark's Sysdig Event dissector is invoked to parse the malicious packet or the contents of the capture file.
Step 4: Vulnerability Exploitation: The dissector encounters the crafted data and triggers the vulnerability. This could involve an attempt to read or write to an invalid memory location, leading to a crash.
Step 5: Denial of Service: Wireshark crashes, becoming unresponsive and unusable. This constitutes a denial-of-service condition, preventing legitimate network analysis activities.
Root Cause: The vulnerability lies within the Sysdig Event dissector in Wireshark. The dissector, responsible for parsing and interpreting Sysdig event data, contains a flaw that leads to a crash when processing specifically crafted Sysdig event packets or capture files. The exact nature of the flaw is not explicitly detailed in the provided information, but it likely involves an error in how the dissector handles malformed or unexpected data within the Sysdig event stream. This could manifest as a buffer overflow, an unhandled exception, or an out-of-bounds memory access, ultimately leading to the application crashing. The vulnerability is triggered during the parsing process, when the dissector attempts to interpret the malicious data. The lack of proper input validation or error handling allows the crafted data to corrupt the program's state, resulting in a crash. The specific function or logic flaw is within the Sysdig Event dissector's parsing routines.
While no specific APTs or malware are directly linked to this CVE, the vulnerability's nature (DoS) makes it attractive for attackers seeking to disrupt network monitoring and security operations. The vulnerability could be incorporated into broader attack campaigns. CISA KEV status: Not Listed.
Monitor network traffic for unusual Sysdig event packets, especially those with malformed headers or suspicious data payloads. Use network intrusion detection systems (NIDS) with signatures specifically designed to detect this vulnerability (if available).
Analyze Wireshark crash logs for error messages related to the Sysdig Event dissector. Look for stack traces that point to the vulnerable code.
Monitor file access events for the opening of suspicious .pcap or .pcapng files, especially those from untrusted sources.
Implement file integrity monitoring to detect any unauthorized modifications to Wireshark's installation files.
Upgrade to a patched version of Wireshark (3.6.1 or later, or 3.4.11 or later). This is the primary and most effective remediation step.
Restrict access to Wireshark and the ability to open capture files to trusted users only.
Implement network segmentation to limit the impact of a successful exploit. Isolate network monitoring systems from critical infrastructure.
Regularly update all software on systems running Wireshark, including the operating system and any supporting libraries.
Consider using a network intrusion prevention system (NIPS) to block malicious packets before they reach Wireshark. (If signatures are available).