CVE-2024-24476 is reported as a buffer overflow vulnerability in Wireshark, a widely used network protocol analyzer. The vulnerability allegedly exists in the pan/addr_resolv.c source file, specifically within the ws_manuf_lookup_str() function, which is responsible for manufacturer string lookups during address resolution. A buffer overflow here could be triggered by a crafted network packet, allowing a remote attacker to cause a denial of service by crashing Wireshark. The vulnerability is rated with a CVSS 3.1 score of 7.5, indicating high severity due to its remote, unauthenticated, no user interaction required nature and the impact on availability. However, the Wireshark vendor disputes this vulnerability, asserting that no released version, including 4.2.0, is affected. No patches or fixes have been published, and no known exploits have been observed in the wild. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-119 (Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer), a common class of memory corruption issues. Given Wireshark’s role in network diagnostics, a crash could disrupt network monitoring and incident response activities.

For European organizations, the primary impact of this vulnerability would be a denial of service condition affecting Wireshark instances used for network traffic analysis and troubleshooting. This could temporarily hinder network monitoring, incident detection, and forensic investigations, especially in security operations centers (SOCs) and network management teams relying on Wireshark. Since Wireshark is widely used across many sectors including finance, telecommunications, and government, disruption could delay response to other security incidents. However, the impact is limited to availability of the Wireshark tool itself and does not directly compromise data confidentiality or integrity. The lack of known exploits and vendor dispute reduces the immediate risk, but organizations should remain cautious. Critical infrastructure operators and large enterprises with high dependency on network monitoring tools may face operational challenges if Wireshark crashes during critical investigations.

Organizations should verify their Wireshark versions and consider upgrading to the latest stable release, even though the vendor disputes the vulnerability. Employ network segmentation and strict filtering to limit exposure to potentially malicious packets that could trigger the overflow. Use alternative or additional network monitoring tools to reduce reliance on a single tool and maintain operational continuity. Monitor vendor advisories closely for any updates or patches related to this issue. Implement robust endpoint protection and intrusion detection systems to detect anomalous network traffic that could exploit such vulnerabilities. Conduct regular training for SOC analysts on handling tool crashes and fallback procedures. If Wireshark is used in automated environments, implement watchdog or monitoring scripts to restart the application promptly if it crashes. Finally, consider sandboxing Wireshark or running it in isolated environments to contain potential crashes.