CVE-2026-0959 is a medium severity vulnerability affecting Wireshark versions 4.6.0 to 4.6.2 and 4.4.0 to 4.4.12. This vulnerability allows denial of service through a crash in the IEEE 802.11 protocol dissector. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.3, indicating a moderate level of risk. Organizations utilizing affected versions of Wireshark should prioritize remediation to prevent potential service disruptions.
The vulnerability was published on January 14, 2026, and affects a significant number of users who rely on Wireshark for network analysis. The urgency for patching is underscored by the fact that the attack vector is network-based, requiring user interaction. Organizations must address this vulnerability promptly to mitigate the risk of denial of service.
As of now, there are no known exploits in the wild for this vulnerability, but the potential for exploitation exists. Organizations are advised to monitor the situation closely and apply patches as soon as they are available.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to secure their networks against this vulnerability.
Vulnerability Details
The official description of CVE-2026-0959 states that the IEEE 802.11 protocol dissector crash in Wireshark versions 4.6.0 to 4.6.2 and 4.4.0 to 4.4.12 allows denial of service. The vulnerability has been classified under CWE-787, indicating improper control of a resource through its lifetime.
The CVSS score of 5.3 reflects a medium severity level with specific impacts on availability. The attack vector is classified as network, with high attack complexity, meaning that attackers may need to exploit a significant weakness to cause a crash. No privileges are required to exploit this vulnerability, but user interaction is necessary.
The affected product is Wireshark, with specific version ranges being 4.4.0 through 4.4.12 and 4.6.0 through 4.6.2.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability lies within the Wireshark application's handling of the IEEE 802.11 protocol dissector. The flaw causes a crash when specific malformed packets are processed, leading to a denial of service. The attack vector is network-based, meaning that an attacker can exploit this vulnerability remotely.
The attack complexity is high, as it requires specific user interaction to trigger the vulnerability. Attackers must craft specific network packets that will cause the application to crash when processed. This means that while the vulnerability exists, it requires a certain skill level to exploit successfully.
Privileges required for exploitation are none, as any user can initiate the process. User interaction is required, as the crafted packets must be actively sent to the Wireshark application. The availability impact is high, indicating that the crash will cause significant disruptions to the application.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The real-world risk associated with CVE-2026-0959 includes potential denial of service, which can significantly impact network monitoring and analysis capabilities for organizations that rely on Wireshark. The blast radius of this vulnerability is considerable, affecting all users of the specified versions of Wireshark. Organizations utilizing these versions should assess their risk exposure and take immediate action to patch or upgrade.
With the CVSS score indicating a medium severity level, organizations should address this vulnerability during their priority patch cycle. The fact that user interaction is required adds a layer of complexity to the exploitation, but it does not diminish the importance of timely remediation.
Organizations must remain vigilant and monitor for any emerging exploits related to this vulnerability. The availability impact is particularly concerning, as it could lead to significant downtime in critical network operations.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The affected versions of Wireshark are 4.4.0 to 4.4.12 and 4.6.0 to 4.6.2. Organizations using these versions should plan to upgrade to the fixed versions as soon as possible to mitigate the vulnerability.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should monitor for updates from Wireshark regarding this vulnerability and apply patches as soon as they are available. If immediate patching is not possible, consider implementing network segmentation to limit exposure. Additional measures include reviewing network monitoring configurations and ensuring that only trusted packets are processed.
For organizations looking to enhance their overall security posture, consider leveraging penetration testing services to identify vulnerabilities proactively.
Detection Guidance
Monitor logs for unusual activity related to Wireshark, particularly when processing IEEE 802.11 packets. Look for behavioral anomalies that may indicate attempts to exploit this vulnerability, such as repeated crashes or unexpected shutdowns of the application.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
CVE-2026-0959 represents a notable trend in vulnerabilities affecting network analysis tools. As the demand for robust network monitoring increases, attackers are likely to seek out weaknesses in widely used applications like Wireshark. Regular updates and proactive security measures are essential for organizations to safeguard their infrastructure.
For more insights on securing your applications, check out our resources on penetration testing methodology and how to implement effective vulnerability management programs within your organization.
Additionally, consider exploring our insights on cloud penetration testing to further strengthen your security posture.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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