CVE-2002-0667 in xpressa
Summary
by MITRE
Pingtel xpressa SIP-based voice-over-IP phone 1.2.5 through 1.2.7.4 has a default null administrator password, which could allow remote attackers to gain access to the phone.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/23/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-0667 represents a critical security flaw in the Pingtel xpressa SIP-based voice-over-IP phone systems running versions 1.2.5 through 1.2.7.4. This issue stems from a fundamental misconfiguration where the device ships with a default null administrator password, creating an inherent security weakness that exposes the system to unauthorized access. The vulnerability falls under the category of weak authentication mechanisms and represents a classic example of poor security by design in early VoIP implementations. The default null password creates a backdoor that allows any remote attacker to gain full administrative privileges without requiring any authentication credentials.
The technical flaw manifests as a hardcoded authentication bypass that occurs at the device level during the initial system boot process or configuration phase. When the Pingtel xpressa phone initializes, it automatically accepts connections from any remote client that attempts to access the administrative interface using a null password. This vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the core authentication mechanism of the device, which controls access to all administrative functions including configuration changes, firmware updates, and system monitoring capabilities. The null password effectively removes any authentication barrier, making the device completely accessible to anyone who can reach the administrative interface through network connectivity.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant security risks for organizations deploying these VoIP phones. Remote attackers can exploit this weakness to gain complete control over the affected devices, potentially leading to unauthorized surveillance, call interception, or disruption of voice services. The vulnerability enables attackers to perform various malicious activities including modifying phone configurations, accessing sensitive communication data, or using the compromised devices as entry points for broader network attacks. The impact extends beyond individual device compromise as these phones often serve as part of larger communication infrastructures, potentially providing attackers with access to critical business communication channels.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including changing default credentials on all affected devices, implementing network segmentation to isolate VoIP infrastructure, and deploying network monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-798, which addresses the use of hardcoded credentials in software, and represents a clear violation of security best practices outlined in NIST SP 800-53. Additionally, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1078.004, which covers valid accounts with default passwords, demonstrating how attackers can leverage default credentials to establish persistence within network environments. The remediation process requires systematic inventory management of all affected devices, immediate credential changes, and implementation of robust access control policies to prevent future occurrences of similar security misconfigurations.