CVE-2023-2854 in Wireshark
Summary
by MITRE • 05/27/2023
BLF file parser crash in Wireshark 4.0.0 to 4.0.5 and 3.6.0 to 3.6.13 allows denial of service via crafted capture file
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/19/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-2854 represents a critical denial of service flaw within Wireshark's BLF file parser functionality. This issue affects multiple versions of the popular network protocol analyzer, specifically Wireshark 4.0.0 through 4.0.5 and 3.6.0 through 3.6.13, creating a significant risk for network security professionals who rely on this tool for packet analysis and troubleshooting. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the BLF file parsing component, which processes binary log files generated by various network monitoring tools. When a maliciously crafted BLF file is loaded into Wireshark, the parser fails to handle the malformed data correctly, resulting in an application crash that completely disrupts the user's ability to perform network analysis tasks.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and potentially CWE-122, representing buffer overflow vulnerabilities. The flaw manifests when Wireshark attempts to parse specific sequences within BLF files that contain unexpected or malformed data structures. This parsing error causes the application to terminate unexpectedly, effectively denying service to legitimate users who may be attempting to analyze network traffic or investigate security incidents. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning given Wireshark's widespread use in enterprise environments, security operations centers, and forensic investigations where continuous network monitoring is essential.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability creates substantial risk for organizations that depend on Wireshark for network security monitoring and incident response activities. Attackers could exploit this flaw by distributing malicious BLF files to unsuspecting users, potentially causing widespread disruption across network security teams. The denial of service impact extends beyond simple application crashes, as it can interrupt ongoing network investigations, delay security incident response procedures, and compromise the availability of critical network analysis capabilities. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where Wireshark is used in automated monitoring workflows or where security analysts frequently process capture files from multiple sources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-2854 should prioritize immediate software updates to versions that have addressed this parsing vulnerability, as provided by the Wireshark development team. Organizations should implement strict file validation procedures for any BLF files received from external sources, particularly those obtained through untrusted channels. Network security teams should consider implementing sandboxing or isolated environments for BLF file processing to prevent potential exploitation from affecting primary analysis systems. Additionally, administrators should monitor for any attempts to load suspicious capture files and maintain comprehensive backup procedures to ensure rapid recovery from potential service disruptions. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of input validation and proper error handling in network security tools, as outlined in the ATT&CK framework's techniques related to application security and defense evasion. Organizations should review their network monitoring practices to ensure that any automated processes involving capture file processing include appropriate safeguards against malformed input data.