CVE-2004-0054 in IOS
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple vulnerabilities in the H.323 protocol implementation for Cisco IOS 11.3T through 12.2T allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service and possibly execute arbitrary code, as demonstrated by the NISCC/OUSPG PROTOS test suite for the H.225 protocol.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/13/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-0054 represents a critical security flaw within Cisco IOS implementations of the H.323 protocol stack, specifically affecting versions 11.3T through 12.2T. This issue manifests as multiple weaknesses that collectively undermine the security and stability of voice over IP communications systems relying on Cisco networking equipment. The H.323 protocol serves as a foundational standard for multimedia communication over packet networks, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for enterprise and telecommunications infrastructure.
The technical implementation flaws within the H.323 protocol handling in these Cisco IOS versions create exploitable conditions that allow remote attackers to manipulate the system through crafted protocol messages. These vulnerabilities stem from inadequate input validation and insufficient error handling mechanisms within the H.225 protocol layer, which is a core component of H.323 for call signaling and control. The specific nature of these flaws enables attackers to construct malicious packets that can trigger buffer overflows, memory corruption, or other exploitable conditions within the IOS processing engine. The vulnerability characteristics align with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write conditions, both of which are commonly associated with protocol implementation flaws in network devices.
The operational impact of CVE-2004-0054 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to potentially enable arbitrary code execution on affected Cisco devices. This represents a severe security risk as it allows attackers to gain unauthorized control over network infrastructure, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The demonstration of this vulnerability through the NISCC/OUSPG PROTOS test suite indicates that the exploit is not theoretical but has been validated in real-world testing environments, confirming its practical applicability. Organizations utilizing Cisco routers and switches with affected IOS versions face significant operational risks including service disruption, data interception, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure.
The attack surface for this vulnerability is particularly broad given that H.323 protocol support is commonly enabled on enterprise networking equipment to facilitate voice communications and unified messaging services. Network administrators must consider that the vulnerability affects not just individual devices but entire communication infrastructures that rely on H.323 for voice and video conferencing applications. The potential for remote code execution places this vulnerability in the ATT&CK framework under the technique T1059.007 for command and control through remote services, and T1499.004 for network denial of service attacks. Mitigation strategies should include immediate IOS upgrades to versions that address these protocol implementation flaws, network segmentation to limit exposure, and implementation of intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of protocol-specific security testing and the need for comprehensive vulnerability management programs that address both known and emerging threats in telecommunication protocols.