CVE-2020-25863 : Security Advisory and Response

Wireshark versions 3.2.0 to 3.2.6, 3.0.0 to 3.0.13, and 2.6.0 to 2.6.20 are affected by a vulnerability in the MIME Multipart dissector that could lead to a crash. The issue has been resolved by correcting the deallocation of invalid MIME parts.

Understanding CVE-2020-25863

This CVE entry pertains to a vulnerability in Wireshark versions that could potentially cause a crash due to mishandling of MIME Multipart dissector.

What is CVE-2020-25863?

Wireshark versions 3.2.0 to 3.2.6, 3.0.0 to 3.0.13, and 2.6.0 to 2.6.20 are susceptible to a flaw in the MIME Multipart dissector, which could result in a crash.

The Impact of CVE-2020-25863

The vulnerability could be exploited by an attacker to cause a denial of service (DoS) by crashing the Wireshark application.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-25863

Wireshark CVE-2020-25863 involves the following technical aspects:

Vulnerability Description

The issue arises from incorrect deallocation of invalid MIME parts within the MIME Multipart dissector in Wireshark.

Affected Systems and Versions

Wireshark 3.2.0 to 3.2.6
Wireshark 3.0.0 to 3.0.13
Wireshark 2.6.0 to 2.6.20

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting a malicious network capture file that triggers the flawed MIME Multipart dissector, leading to a crash.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2020-25863, consider the following mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Wireshark to the latest patched version.
Avoid opening untrusted or malicious network capture files.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update Wireshark and other software to patch known vulnerabilities.
Implement network traffic monitoring and intrusion detection systems to detect and prevent potential attacks.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely installation of security updates and patches released by Wireshark to mitigate the CVE-2020-25863 vulnerability.