CVE-2002-0673 in xpressa
Summary
by MITRE
The enrollment process for Pingtel xpressa SIP-based voice-over-IP phone 1.2.5 through 1.2.7.4 allows attackers with physical access to the phone to log out the current user and re-register the phone using MyPingtel Sign-In to gain remote access and perform unauthorized actions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/23/2024
The vulnerability identified in CVE-2002-0673 affects the Pingtel xpressa SIP-based voice-over-IP phone firmware versions 1.2.5 through 1.2.7.4, presenting a critical security flaw in the device's enrollment and authentication mechanisms. This vulnerability specifically targets the phone's handling of user sessions and registration processes, creating a pathway for unauthorized access that can be exploited by attackers with physical access to the device. The flaw resides in the phone's inability to properly secure user sessions during the enrollment process, allowing malicious actors to manipulate the device's registration state and effectively hijack administrative privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate session management and authentication controls within the phone's firmware. When an attacker gains physical access to the device, they can exploit the weak session handling to log out the current user and subsequently register the phone using legitimate MyPingtel Sign-In credentials. This process effectively bypasses normal authentication mechanisms and establishes a persistent unauthorized presence on the device. The vulnerability operates at the application layer of the network stack, specifically affecting the SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) implementation and the phone's user management system. This weakness aligns with CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication issues in software systems, particularly when authentication mechanisms fail to properly validate user credentials or maintain secure session states.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple unauthorized access, as it enables attackers to perform a wide range of unauthorized actions on the compromised device. Once an attacker successfully re-registers the phone, they can potentially intercept and modify voice communications, access sensitive configuration data, modify device settings, and establish persistent backdoors for future access. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only physical access to the device, making it exploitable in environments where physical security controls may be inadequate. This creates a significant risk for organizations deploying these devices in corporate or government settings where unauthorized physical access could lead to complete network compromise. The attack vector demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1078.004, which involves valid accounts and legitimate credentials to gain access to systems, but in this case the legitimate credentials are obtained through physical manipulation rather than network-based attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both the immediate security gap in the phone's firmware and broader physical security considerations. Organizations should immediately upgrade to firmware versions that address this specific vulnerability, as Pingtel likely released patches to correct the session management flaws. Network segmentation should be implemented to isolate voice-over-IP devices from critical network segments, limiting the potential impact of successful exploitation. Additionally, organizations should implement strict physical access controls for all VoIP devices, particularly in high-security environments where unauthorized physical access could lead to this type of compromise. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure device lifecycle management, including proper firmware update procedures and regular security assessments of networked devices. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual registration patterns and unauthorized device access attempts, as these may indicate exploitation of similar session management vulnerabilities. The incident underscores the critical need for robust authentication and session management in embedded systems, particularly those handling sensitive communications data.