CVE-2017-17997 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

Wireshark before version 2.2.12 is vulnerable to a NULL pointer misuse in the MRDISC dissector, leading to a crash. The issue has been resolved by validating IPv4 addresses in the packet-mrdisc.c file.

Understanding CVE-2017-17997

This CVE entry describes a vulnerability in Wireshark that could result in a crash due to a NULL pointer misuse in the MRDISC dissector.

What is CVE-2017-17997?

The vulnerability in Wireshark versions prior to 2.2.12 allows attackers to cause a denial of service (DoS) by exploiting a NULL pointer.

The Impact of CVE-2017-17997

The vulnerability could lead to a crash of Wireshark, affecting the availability of the network analysis tool.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-17997

Wireshark's vulnerability is detailed below:

Vulnerability Description

The MRDISC dissector in Wireshark misuses a NULL pointer, resulting in a crash. The issue has been addressed by validating IPv4 addresses in the packet-mrdisc.c file.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Wireshark
Vendor: N/A
Versions affected: All versions prior to 2.2.12

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by sending specially crafted packets to the Wireshark application, causing it to crash.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2017-17997, follow these steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Wireshark to version 2.2.12 or later to prevent exploitation of the vulnerability.
Avoid opening suspicious or untrusted capture files with Wireshark.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update Wireshark and other network analysis tools to the latest versions.
Implement network segmentation to limit the impact of potential attacks.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches provided by Wireshark promptly to address known vulnerabilities and enhance the security of the application.