CVE-2023-2858 in Wireshark
Summary
by MITRE • 05/27/2023
NetScaler 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-2023-2858 represents a critical denial of service flaw within Wireshark's NetScaler file parsing functionality. This issue affects specific versions of Wireshark including releases 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. The flaw manifests when Wireshark processes specially crafted capture files that contain malformed NetScaler data, leading to unexpected application termination and system instability. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability directly impacts the availability of network analysis capabilities, which are fundamental to incident response and network monitoring operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within Wireshark's dissector for NetScaler protocol data. When processing maliciously constructed capture files, the parser fails to properly handle edge cases or malformed data structures that are typical of buffer overflow or memory corruption scenarios. This parsing failure results in a crash condition that causes Wireshark to terminate unexpectedly, effectively denying service to legitimate users who depend on the application for network traffic analysis. The flaw operates at the application layer where Wireshark's protocol dissector engine encounters unexpected data patterns that trigger memory management errors or invalid pointer references, ultimately leading to process termination. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow and CWE-122 Heap-based Buffer Overflow, as the issue involves improper memory handling during data parsing operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-2858 extends beyond simple application instability to encompass broader network security implications. Security analysts and network administrators who regularly use Wireshark for troubleshooting network issues, conducting forensic analysis, or monitoring network traffic may find their investigative capabilities severely compromised when encountering malicious capture files. This vulnerability creates a potential attack vector where adversaries could deliberately craft capture files designed to crash Wireshark, thereby preventing security teams from performing critical network analysis tasks. The denial of service condition affects not only individual users but also organizations that depend on Wireshark as part of their security operations center infrastructure, potentially disrupting incident response procedures and network monitoring workflows. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with T1499.004 Network Denial of Service and T1566.001 Phishing via Social Engineering, as it can be exploited to disrupt network analysis capabilities and potentially used as part of broader attack campaigns.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-2858 primarily focus on immediate version updates and defensive operational measures. The most effective solution involves upgrading to Wireshark versions that have been patched to address this vulnerability, typically versions beyond the affected release ranges mentioned in the CVE description. Network security teams should implement immediate patch management protocols to ensure all instances of affected Wireshark versions are updated across their environments. Additionally, defensive measures include implementing capture file validation procedures before opening suspicious files, utilizing sandboxed environments for capture file analysis, and establishing network segmentation to limit exposure to potentially malicious traffic. Organizations should also consider implementing automated monitoring for unexpected application crashes or restarts in environments where Wireshark is deployed, as these could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of input validation and robust error handling in network analysis tools, as these components are critical for maintaining application stability and preventing exploitation of parsing flaws that could lead to broader system compromise.