CVE-2005-3720 in IP5000 VOIP WIFI Phone
Summary
by MITRE
The default index page in the HTTP server in Hitachi IP5000 VOIP WIFI Phone 1.5.6 lists sensitive information such as software versions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/26/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-3720 represents a significant information disclosure flaw in the Hitachi IP5000 VoIP WiFi Phone running firmware version 1.5.6. This issue manifests through the default index page of the embedded HTTP server, which inadvertently exposes sensitive system information including software version details. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization practices within the device's web interface implementation, creating an unintended information leak that could be exploited by malicious actors.
This technical flaw falls under the category of information disclosure vulnerabilities and aligns with CWE-200, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information to unauthorized actors. The vulnerability exists because the HTTP server's default configuration does not properly restrict access to system metadata, allowing any remote attacker who can reach the device's web interface to obtain detailed version information about the underlying software stack. The exposed software versions serve as a critical piece of intelligence for threat actors planning targeted attacks against known vulnerabilities in specific firmware versions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the exposed version information enables attackers to conduct targeted reconnaissance activities. Once an attacker identifies the specific firmware version, they can correlate this information with existing vulnerability databases to determine if the device is running software with known security flaws. This reconnaissance capability significantly increases the attack surface and provides adversaries with a clear roadmap for potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also violates fundamental security principles of defense in depth, as it provides attackers with readily available system information without requiring any specialized tools or techniques.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper access controls and disabling unnecessary services. Organizations should immediately disable the HTTP server functionality if it is not required for legitimate operations, or at minimum restrict access to the web interface through firewall rules and authentication mechanisms. The device should be updated to the latest firmware version available from Hitachi, as this vulnerability was likely addressed in subsequent releases. Network segmentation and monitoring of web traffic can help detect unauthorized access attempts to the device's web interface, while regular vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar information disclosure issues in other networked devices. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure configuration management and the principle of least privilege in network security implementations.
The presence of such information disclosure vulnerabilities in networked devices highlights the critical need for comprehensive security testing during device deployment and ongoing monitoring of networked systems. This particular vulnerability serves as a reminder that even seemingly benign features like default web interfaces can become attack vectors when not properly secured, emphasizing the importance of following security best practices and maintaining up-to-date firmware across all networked devices.