Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This flaw can make vulnerable Wireshark versions stop responding when they process certain DVB-S2-BB traffic or a crafted capture file. It affects availability only, not data theft or modification. The main business risk is disruption to analysts, monitoring workflows, or systems where Wireshark processes untrusted captures.
Executive priority
Prioritize remediation on security workstations, packet analysis jump boxes, and any automated capture-processing systems. This is not a confidentiality breach based on current sources, but it can disrupt operational security work.
Technical view
CVE-2021-22222 is an infinite loop in Wireshark's DVB-S2-BB dissector affecting versions 3.4.0 through 3.4.5. The CVSS 3.1 vector is network, low complexity, no privileges, no user interaction, unchanged scope, and high availability impact.
Likely exposure
Exposure is likely limited to environments running Wireshark 3.4.0 to 3.4.5, especially where analysts or automation open untrusted capture files or process packet traffic containing DVB-S2-BB data.
Exploitation context
The sources describe denial of service via packet injection or crafted capture file. The provided KEV status is false, and the bundle does not cite active exploitation in the wild.
Researcher notes
The source evidence identifies the affected component and fixed version boundary but provides limited operational detail beyond denial of service. Avoid assuming broader product exposure unless local packaging or vendor advisories confirm it.
Mitigation direction
- Upgrade Wireshark to version 3.4.6 or later.
- Apply distribution vendor updates where Wireshark is packaged by the OS.
- Avoid opening untrusted capture files on vulnerable Wireshark versions.
- Check Wireshark and OS vendor advisories for environment-specific guidance.
Validation and detection
- Inventory endpoints and analysis systems for Wireshark installations.
- Confirm installed versions are not 3.4.0 through 3.4.5.
- Review package changelogs or vendor advisories for the CVE fix.
- Check workflows that process captures from untrusted sources.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CVE-2021-22222 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- High
- CVSS
- 7.5 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
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.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H3.93.6Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
7.5HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://www.wireshark.org/security/wnpa-sec-2021-05.htmlCVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://gitlab.com/wireshark/wireshark/-/merge_requests/3130CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/cves/-/blob/master/2021/CVE-2021-22222.jsonCVE reference · x_refsource_CONFIRM
- GLSA-202107-21CVE reference · vendor-advisory, x_refsource_GENTOO
- https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuoct2021.htmlCVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- DSA-5019CVE reference · vendor-advisory, x_refsource_DEBIAN
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.