CVE-2006-5277 in Unified Communications Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Off-by-one error in the Certificate Trust List (CTL) Provider service (CTLProvider.exe) in Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CUCM, formerly CallManager) before 20070711 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted packet that triggers a heap-based buffer overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/21/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-5277 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow flaw within the Certificate Trust List Provider service of Cisco Unified Communications Manager. This issue affects versions prior to the 20070711 release and stems from an off-by-one error in the CTLProvider.exe component that processes certificate trust lists. The flaw occurs when the service handles malformed packets containing crafted data that exceeds expected buffer boundaries, creating conditions ripe for arbitrary code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a classic heap-based buffer overflow scenario where insufficient input validation allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory regions. The off-by-one error specifically manifests when the CTLProvider.exe service processes certificate trust list data structures, particularly in how it calculates and allocates memory for storing certificate information. This miscalculation enables attackers to inject malicious payloads that can overwrite critical program variables, function pointers, or return addresses within the heap memory space. The vulnerability resides in the service's handling of certificate trust list data structures that are processed during secure communication establishment within the unified communications framework.
Operationally, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to enterprise communication systems as it enables remote code execution without authentication requirements. Attackers can exploit this flaw by sending specially crafted packets to the affected CUCM service, potentially gaining full system control and access to sensitive communication data. The impact extends beyond immediate system compromise to include potential data exfiltration, man-in-the-middle attacks, and disruption of critical business communications. Organizations utilizing vulnerable versions face significant operational risks including service interruption, regulatory compliance violations, and potential financial losses from communication disruptions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-5277 involve immediate patching of affected Cisco Unified Communications Manager installations to version 20070711 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the heap overflow vulnerability. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of the affected service to trusted networks only. Additionally, monitoring for anomalous certificate trust list traffic patterns and implementing intrusion detection systems can help identify exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, and maps to attack techniques in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1059 for command and script interpreter execution, as successful exploitation would enable arbitrary code execution on the target system. Organizations should also consider implementing certificate pinning mechanisms and regular security assessments to prevent similar vulnerabilities in the broader communications infrastructure.