CVE-2024-11595 is a vulnerability identified in the Wireshark network protocol analyzer, specifically affecting versions 4.2.0 through 4.2.8 and 4.4.0 through 4.4.1. The issue arises from an infinite loop condition in the FiveCo RAP protocol dissector, classified under CWE-835 (Loop with Unreachable Exit Condition). When Wireshark processes a specially crafted packet or capture file containing malformed FiveCo RAP protocol data, the dissector enters an infinite loop, causing the application to hang indefinitely. This behavior results in a denial of service (DoS) condition, as Wireshark becomes unresponsive and unable to continue normal operation. The vulnerability requires user interaction, such as opening a malicious capture file or capturing malicious packets in a live session. The CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.8 reflects a high severity level, with attack vector local (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), user interaction required (UI:R), unchanged scope (S:U), and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:H/I:H/A:H). Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the vulnerability poses a significant risk to users who analyze network traffic using affected Wireshark versions. The lack of available patches at the time of publication necessitates cautious handling of capture files and network data involving the FiveCo RAP protocol. This vulnerability highlights the importance of robust input validation and loop control in protocol dissectors to prevent infinite loops and application hangs.

The primary impact of CVE-2024-11595 is denial of service, where Wireshark becomes unresponsive due to an infinite loop triggered by maliciously crafted packets or capture files. This can disrupt network analysis, incident response, and forensic investigations, delaying threat detection and remediation efforts. Since Wireshark is widely used by security professionals, network administrators, and researchers globally, the vulnerability could impair critical monitoring and diagnostic activities. The high impact on confidentiality and integrity arises because an attacker could potentially manipulate the analysis environment, causing misleading or incomplete data interpretation. Although the attack vector is local and requires user interaction, the ease of exploitation through crafted capture files makes it feasible for attackers to distribute malicious files via email, file sharing, or compromised repositories. Organizations relying on Wireshark for security monitoring, especially those handling sensitive or critical infrastructure networks, face increased risk of operational disruption and potential security blind spots. The absence of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially once exploit code becomes available. Overall, the vulnerability could lead to significant operational downtime and hinder security posture if not addressed promptly.

1. Avoid opening capture files from untrusted or unknown sources until patches are available. 2. Use network segmentation and strict access controls to limit exposure to malicious packets that could trigger the vulnerability during live captures. 3. Monitor Wireshark usage and educate users about the risks of processing unverified capture files. 4. Employ alternative network analysis tools or earlier Wireshark versions not affected by this vulnerability, if feasible, until a patch is released. 5. Implement file integrity monitoring and scanning to detect and block malicious capture files entering the environment. 6. Once patches or updates are released by the Wireshark Foundation, prioritize immediate application to affected systems. 7. Consider sandboxing Wireshark or running it in isolated environments to contain potential hangs or crashes. 8. Maintain up-to-date backups of critical analysis data to prevent loss during DoS conditions. 9. Engage with threat intelligence sources to track any emerging exploit activity related to this vulnerability. 10. Review and update incident response plans to include scenarios involving compromised network analysis tools.