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CVE Record

CVE-2018-9268: In Wireshark 2.4.0 to 2.4.5 and 2.2.0 to 2.2.13, epan/dissectors/packet-smb2.c has a memory leak.

In Wireshark 2.4.0 to 2.4.5 and 2.2.0 to 2.2.13, epan/dissectors/packet-smb2.c has a memory leak.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2018-9268 is a memory leak in Wireshark's SMB2 packet dissector. A vulnerable Wireshark instance may consume extra memory while processing SMB2 traffic or captures. The main business concern is analyst workstation instability or tool disruption, not confirmed data theft or code execution based on the supplied sources.

Executive priority

Handle through normal vulnerability remediation, with higher priority for teams that routinely analyze untrusted network captures. There is no supplied evidence of active exploitation, but outdated packet analysis tools can disrupt security operations.

Technical view

The issue is in epan/dissectors/packet-smb2.c affecting Wireshark 2.4.0 through 2.4.5 and 2.2.0 through 2.2.13. The supplied description identifies a memory leak only. The bundle does not provide CVSS, CWE, exploitability details, or evidence of code execution.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely where vulnerable Wireshark versions are used to inspect SMB2 network traffic or packet capture files. This affects security teams, network engineers, forensic analysts, and systems with Debian LTS Wireshark packages from the affected era.

Exploitation context

The source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or active exploitation. A realistic concern is denial of service through memory consumption during packet dissection. Evidence is insufficient to claim public exploitation, reliable weaponization, or impact beyond resource exhaustion.

Researcher notes

Focus validation on the SMB2 dissector and affected version branches. The commit reference likely contains the code-level fix, but the bundle only supports describing a memory leak. Avoid asserting crashability, remote exploitability, or fixed versions unless confirmed from vendor advisory text.

Mitigation direction

  • Upgrade Wireshark beyond the affected 2.4.x and 2.2.x ranges.
  • Apply relevant Debian LTS Wireshark security updates where Debian packages are used.
  • Limit use of outdated Wireshark builds on untrusted capture files.
  • Check Wireshark's advisory for exact fixed releases and package guidance.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Wireshark versions on analyst and engineering workstations.
  • Confirm no systems run Wireshark 2.4.0-2.4.5 or 2.2.0-2.2.13.
  • Review Debian package versions against DLA 1388-1 and DLA 1634-1.
  • Prioritize systems that inspect SMB2 traffic or third-party packet captures.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
7

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

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CVE-2018-9268 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Unknown
CVSS
Not scored
Known Exploited
No
Published
Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

0CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
6Source links

CVSS and timeline data

No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
n/an/an/aListed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.