CVE-2006-5233 in SoundPoint IP 301
Summary
by MITRE
Polycom SoundPoint IP 301 VoIP Desktop Phone, firmware version 1.4.1.0040, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (reboot) via (1) a long URL sent to the HTTP daemon and (2) unspecified manipulations as demonstrated by the Nessus http_fingerprinting_hmap.nasl script.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/24/2026
The CVE-2006-5233 vulnerability affects the Polycom SoundPoint IP 301 VoIP desktop phone running firmware version 1.4.1.0040, representing a critical denial of service weakness that can be exploited remotely without authentication. This vulnerability manifests through two distinct attack vectors that leverage the phone's HTTP daemon implementation, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where VoIP devices are exposed to untrusted networks. The first vector involves sending an excessively long URL to the device's HTTP service, while the second involves unspecified manipulations that can be demonstrated through the Nessus http_fingerprinting_hmap.nasl scanning script. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the device's web server component, which fails to properly handle malformed or oversized HTTP requests.
The technical flaw resides in the HTTP daemon's inability to process long URLs and malformed HTTP requests gracefully, leading to a system crash and subsequent reboot of the affected device. This behavior aligns with CWE-129, Input Validation, and CWE-20, Improper Input Validation, as the device does not adequately sanitize or limit incoming HTTP request parameters. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be classified under the MITRE ATT&CK framework as a Denial of Service technique, specifically within the Service Stop category under the Execution phase. When exploited, the attack causes the device to restart automatically, potentially disrupting voice communications and requiring manual intervention to restore service.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can affect business continuity in enterprise environments where VoIP communications are critical. The remote nature of the attack means that unauthorized parties can potentially exploit this weakness from outside the network perimeter, especially if the device is exposed to the internet or improperly configured firewalls. In a corporate setting, this could result in unexpected communication outages during critical business calls, leading to productivity losses and potential financial impacts. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires no authentication credentials to exploit, making it accessible to any attacker with network access to the device. The reboot effect can also potentially cause loss of configuration data if the device does not properly save settings before restarting.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate firmware updates from Polycom to address the HTTP daemon processing flaws, network segmentation to limit direct access to VoIP devices, and implementing proper firewall rules to restrict HTTP access to trusted sources only. Network administrators should also consider disabling unnecessary HTTP services on VoIP devices when not required for management purposes. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and robust error handling in embedded systems, particularly those with network connectivity. Organizations should conduct regular vulnerability assessments of their VoIP infrastructure and maintain updated security patches to prevent exploitation of similar weaknesses. Additionally, monitoring for unusual reboot patterns or network traffic anomalies can help detect potential exploitation attempts and provide early warning of security incidents.