CVE-2002-0672 in xpressa
Summary
by MITRE
Pingtel xpressa SIP-based voice-over-IP phone 1.2.5 through 1.2.7.4 allows attackers with physical access to restore the phone to factory defaults without authentication via a menu option, which sets the administrator password to null.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/23/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-0672 affects the Pingtel xpressa SIP-based voice-over-IP phone versions 1.2.5 through 1.2.7.4, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the device's authentication mechanisms. This issue stems from an insecure design decision within the phone's user interface where administrative recovery functions are accessible without proper authentication. The vulnerability specifically targets the physical security model of the device, as it allows unauthorized individuals with physical access to exploit a menu option that resets the device to factory defaults. This flaw directly violates fundamental security principles by providing a backdoor mechanism that bypasses normal authentication procedures and undermines the device's security posture.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the phone's recovery menu system where a specific sequence of menu selections allows for factory reset operations without requiring administrator credentials. When an attacker with physical access triggers this menu option, the system automatically sets the administrator password to null, effectively removing any password protection from the device's administrative interface. This creates an immediate and complete loss of administrative control over the device, as the null password setting renders the administrative account accessible to anyone who can interact with the device's physical interface. The vulnerability operates at the application layer of the device's software stack, specifically within the user interface management code that handles administrative recovery functions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to represent a complete compromise of the device's security model. Once an attacker gains physical access and executes the factory reset procedure, they immediately gain full administrative privileges without needing any prior knowledge of existing passwords or authentication credentials. This vulnerability essentially provides an attacker with a guaranteed path to administrative access, as the null password setting cannot be bypassed through normal authentication mechanisms. The implications are particularly severe in environments where physical security controls are not properly maintained, as unauthorized individuals can easily compromise the device and potentially gain access to the entire VoIP network infrastructure that the device may be connected to.
The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication issues, specifically in cases where authentication mechanisms are bypassed or weakened through design flaws. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability corresponds to techniques involving privilege escalation and initial access through physical means, particularly T1018 for valid accounts and T1133 for external remote services. The attack surface is significantly expanded due to the requirement for physical access being a relatively common attack vector in enterprise environments, where devices are often left unattended in accessible locations. Organizations implementing these devices should consider this vulnerability as part of their overall security posture assessment, particularly in environments where physical security controls are inadequate or where devices are deployed in public or semi-public spaces.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on both immediate operational responses and long-term architectural improvements. Organizations should immediately disable or remove access to the factory reset functionality from user interfaces when physical access controls are insufficient. The most effective immediate mitigation involves ensuring that physical access to these devices is properly restricted through environmental controls, secure mounting solutions, and regular security audits. Additionally, administrators should implement regular monitoring of device configurations to detect unauthorized changes that might indicate exploitation of this vulnerability. Long-term solutions should include firmware updates that either remove the vulnerable menu options entirely or implement proper authentication requirements for any administrative recovery functions. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure device lifecycle management, including proper provisioning and secure disposal of network devices to prevent unauthorized access during maintenance or decommissioning processes.