CVE-2021-4190 is a high-severity vulnerability in Wireshark, specifically within the Kafka dissector present in version 3.6.0. This vulnerability allows for denial of service through packet injection or crafted capture files, which can disrupt services and impact the availability of systems. The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 7.5, categorizing it as a high severity issue that organizations need to address urgently.
Given the vulnerability's nature, it poses a significant risk to organizations utilizing Wireshark for network analysis. Attackers may leverage this vulnerability to inject malicious packets, leading to resource exhaustion or system crashes. As such, organizations should prioritize patching immediately to prevent potential exploitation.
Currently, there is no confirmed public exploit for this vulnerability, but the implications of a denial of service attack can be severe, particularly in environments relying on real-time network traffic analysis. Organizations are advised to monitor their Wireshark installations and ensure they are updated to mitigate any associated risks.
With the vulnerability being publicly disclosed, timely remediation is crucial. Organizations should ensure they have a robust incident response plan that includes monitoring for any unusual activity related to Wireshark usage.
Vulnerability Details
The official description of CVE-2021-4190 states: "Large loop in the Kafka dissector in Wireshark 3.6.0 allows denial of service via packet injection or crafted capture file." This vulnerability is classified under CWE-834, which refers to 'Excessive Looping'.
The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 7.5, indicating a high severity level. The attack vector is classified as NETWORK, with low complexity and no privileges or user interaction required. The impact on availability is rated as HIGH, meaning that successful exploitation could lead to significant downtime.
Affected products include Wireshark version 3.6.0 and all versions of Wireshark from 3.4.0 to 3.4.12. This vulnerability was published on December 30, 2021.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of CVE-2021-4190 stems from an excessive loop in the Kafka dissector. This flaw can be exploited by sending specially crafted packets to the Wireshark application, leading to a denial of service condition. The attack vector is network-based, which means that attackers do not need physical access to the target system.
The attack complexity is classified as low, as no special conditions must be met for the attack to succeed. No privileges are required, and user interaction is not necessary. The vulnerability affects the availability of the system, with the potential to crash or freeze the application.
As such, confidentiality and integrity impacts are rated as none, but the availability impact is rated high, highlighting the significant risk this vulnerability poses to organizations using Wireshark.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The real-world deployment risk associated with CVE-2021-4190 is considerable. Organizations that rely on Wireshark for network traffic analysis may face service disruptions, leading to potential financial losses and reputational damage. The blast radius of this vulnerability could extend across entire networks, affecting multiple systems simultaneously.
Given the high CVSS score and the nature of the vulnerability, organizations should assess their exposure and prioritize remediation efforts. Immediate patching is recommended to mitigate risks associated with denial of service attacks.
With the exploitability being high, organizations should not only patch but also monitor their systems for any unusual traffic patterns that may indicate attempts to exploit this vulnerability. Regular updates and security reviews should be part of an organization's security posture.
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The affected versions of Wireshark include version 3.6.0 and all versions from 3.4.0 to 3.4.12. Organizations using these versions should upgrade to the latest release to mitigate this vulnerability.
Mitigation & Remediation
To mitigate CVE-2021-4190, organizations should apply the latest patches for Wireshark. Ensure that all installations are upgraded to versions beyond 3.4.12 or the latest version available.
If immediate patching is not feasible, organizations may consider implementing network controls to block malicious packets. Continuous monitoring of network traffic for anomalies is also recommended.
Penetration testing can also help identify potential weaknesses.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for indicators of unusual traffic patterns or spikes in resource usage associated with Wireshark. Behavioral anomalies may indicate attempts to exploit this vulnerability.
Network signatures corresponding to the exploitation of this vulnerability should be developed to assist in detection efforts.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
CVE-2021-4190 highlights the importance of maintaining robust security practices around network analysis tools. The potential for denial of service attacks underscores the need for regular updates and vulnerability assessments.
Security teams should leverage insights from this vulnerability to reinforce their incident response plans and ensure they can effectively address similar vulnerabilities in the future.
A vulnerability management program is essential for identifying and addressing security weaknesses proactively.
Penetration testing methodology should be reviewed and updated to include scenarios that could exploit vulnerabilities like CVE-2021-4190.
Continuous security testing can provide organizations with ongoing assessments of their security posture, helping to mitigate risks from known and emerging vulnerabilities.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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