CVE-2023-2856 in Wireshark
Summary
by MITRE • 05/27/2023
VMS TCPIPtrace 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 • 05/07/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-2856 represents a critical denial of service flaw within Wireshark's VMS TCPIPtrace file parser component. This issue affects multiple versions of the popular network protocol analyzer, specifically targeting releases from 4.0.0 through 4.0.5 and 3.6.0 through 3.6.13. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and error handling within the parser responsible for processing VMS TCPIPtrace format capture files. When a maliciously crafted capture file is loaded into Wireshark, the parser fails to properly handle malformed data structures, leading to an application crash that results in complete denial of service for the affected system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves improper memory management and lack of bounds checking within the file parsing logic. The VMS TCPIPtrace format parser does not adequately validate the structure and content of incoming data, allowing attackers to construct specially crafted capture files that trigger buffer overflows or invalid memory access patterns. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-125, which covers out-of-bounds read vulnerabilities. The parser's failure to implement proper input sanitization creates an exploitable condition where malformed data can cause the application to terminate unexpectedly. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to network security analysts and forensic investigators who rely on Wireshark for network traffic analysis, as a single malicious capture file can bring down the entire analysis environment.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-2856 extends beyond simple application instability, potentially compromising critical network security operations. Security professionals who use Wireshark for incident response, network troubleshooting, and protocol analysis face a substantial risk when handling untrusted capture files. The vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including email attachments, malicious websites, or compromised network traffic captures that might be encountered during routine analysis. This scenario directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers command and scripting interpreter usage, particularly in the context of network analysis tools being manipulated to execute unintended behavior. The denial of service condition effectively prevents legitimate network analysis activities and could be weaponized to disrupt security operations during critical incidents.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate version updates to Wireshark 4.0.6 or 3.6.14, which contain the necessary patches to address the parsing flaw. Organizations should implement strict file validation procedures and avoid opening capture files from untrusted sources until the software is updated. Network security teams should also consider implementing automated file scanning mechanisms that can detect and quarantine potentially malicious capture files before they are processed by Wireshark. Additionally, system administrators should establish robust monitoring protocols to detect application crashes and implement proper incident response procedures for handling such denial of service events. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security tools and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against exploitation of parsing vulnerabilities that can lead to complete system compromise.