CVE-2005-4466 in Interaction SIP Proxy
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in the SIPParser function in i3sipmsg.dll in Interaction SIP Proxy before 3.0.011 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service and possibly execute arbitrary code via a REGISTER request with a SPI version number that contains a large number of space or tab characters.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/19/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-4466 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow in the i3sipmsg.dll library component of Interaction SIP Proxy software versions prior to 3.0.011. This flaw specifically affects the SIPParser function which processes Session Initiation Protocol messages, particularly REGISTER requests that contain malformed SPI version numbers. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory management practices within the SIP message parsing routine, creating a condition where attacker-controlled data can overflow allocated heap memory buffers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when a remote attacker crafts a REGISTER SIP request containing a SPI version number field with an excessive number of space or tab characters. The SIPParser function fails to properly validate the length of this field before attempting to copy it into a fixed-size heap buffer, resulting in memory corruption that can manifest as arbitrary code execution or system crash. This type of heap overflow vulnerability falls under CWE-121 Heap-based Buffer Overflow, which is classified as a critical weakness in memory safety. The vulnerability's exploitation potential is heightened by the fact that SIP protocol messages are commonly transmitted over untrusted networks, making this attack vector particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where SIP-based communication systems are prevalent.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially enable remote code execution, making it a significant threat to network infrastructure security. When successfully exploited, the buffer overflow can allow attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected SIP proxy service, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of SIP proxy services which are fundamental components in VoIP infrastructure, creating cascading security implications for organizations relying on these communication systems. The attack requires minimal privileges and can be executed against vulnerable systems without authentication, making it particularly attractive to threat actors targeting enterprise communication networks.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including patching to Interaction SIP Proxy versions 3.0.011 or later, which contain the necessary fixes for input validation and memory handling. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit exposure of SIP proxy services to untrusted networks, while intrusion detection systems should be configured to monitor for suspicious REGISTER request patterns containing excessive whitespace characters. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in network protocol implementations and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers legitimate credentials and protocol manipulation. Security teams should also consider implementing application whitelisting for SIP proxy components and monitoring for abnormal memory allocation patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular security assessments of VoIP infrastructure components are recommended to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other communication protocols and systems.