CVE-2006-5278 in Unified Communications Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in the Real-Time Information Server (RIS) Data Collector service (RisDC.exe) in Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CUCM, formerly CallManager) before 20070711 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted packets, resulting in a heap-based buffer overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/21/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-5278 represents a critical security flaw in Cisco Unified Communications Manager's Real-Time Information Server Data Collector service. This issue affects versions of CUCM prior to the 20070711 release and demonstrates a classic integer overflow condition that can be exploited to achieve remote code execution. The vulnerability resides within the RisDC.exe process which handles real-time information collection services, making it a significant threat to communication infrastructure security.
The technical flaw manifests as an integer overflow within the data processing logic of the RIS Data Collector service. When processing incoming network packets, the service fails to properly validate integer values, leading to a situation where an attacker can craft specially designed packets that cause the integer to exceed its maximum representable value. This overflow subsequently triggers a heap-based buffer overflow condition, where the corrupted memory layout allows an attacker to overwrite critical program data structures and potentially execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected service.
This vulnerability operates at the intersection of multiple cybersecurity domains and aligns with CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow conditions. The operational impact of this flaw extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it provides remote attackers with the capability to completely compromise the affected system. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to the communication infrastructure, potentially leading to data interception, service disruption, or further lateral movement within the network. The remote exploitation aspect makes this particularly dangerous as attackers need not have physical access to the system.
The attack vector involves sending maliciously crafted network packets to the vulnerable RIS Data Collector service, which typically operates on designated ports within the communication stack. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework would fall under initial access and execution techniques, specifically targeting service processes and leveraging memory corruption vulnerabilities. Organizations using affected versions of Cisco Unified Communications Manager face significant risk exposure as this vulnerability can be exploited by adversaries without requiring authentication or local access to the system.
Cisco addressed this vulnerability through a security patch released in the 20070711 update, which properly validates integer values and prevents the overflow condition from occurring. The recommended mitigation strategy involves immediate deployment of the patched software version, along with network segmentation to limit exposure of the vulnerable service. Security professionals should also implement network monitoring to detect suspicious packet patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper input validation and integer handling in security-critical applications, particularly those handling real-time communication data.