CVE-2006-6875 in OpenSER
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the validateospheader function in the Open Settlement Protocol (OSP) module in OpenSER 1.1.0 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted OSP header.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/12/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-6875 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Open Settlement Protocol module of OpenSER version 1.1.0 and earlier. This issue resides in the validateospheader function which processes OSP headers received by the system. The Open Settlement Protocol serves as a signaling protocol for telecommunications networks and is commonly used in VoIP environments for call setup and management. When processing malformed OSP headers, the validateospheader function fails to properly validate input length, creating a condition where an attacker can overflow a fixed-size buffer and overwrite adjacent memory locations. This vulnerability falls under CWE-121 which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, making it particularly dangerous as it can lead to arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as remote attackers can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The buffer overflow occurs during the validation process of OSP headers, meaning that any system processing OSP messages becomes a potential target. Attackers can craft malicious OSP headers with oversized data payloads that exceed the allocated buffer space, causing the program to overwrite critical memory regions including return addresses and function pointers. This memory corruption can be exploited to redirect program execution flow and inject malicious code, potentially allowing full system compromise. The vulnerability affects systems running OpenSER versions prior to 1.1.1, making it particularly concerning for organizations with older deployments that may not have received timely updates.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059.007 sub-technique for command and script interpreter, where attackers can leverage buffer overflow conditions to execute arbitrary commands. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require local access to exploit the flaw, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where OSP traffic flows through firewalled systems. Organizations using OpenSER for telecommunications infrastructure management face significant risk, as this vulnerability can be exploited to gain unauthorized access to voice communication systems. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation practices and highlights the importance of proper memory management in telecommunications software implementations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-6875 primarily focus on immediate software updates and patches provided by the OpenSER development team. Organizations should upgrade to OpenSER version 1.1.1 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the buffer overflow condition. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and access controls can help limit exposure by restricting OSP traffic to trusted sources only. System administrators should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can monitor for suspicious OSP header patterns and malformed traffic that might indicate exploitation attempts. Input validation should be enhanced at multiple layers including application-level checks and network-level filtering. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of keeping telecommunications software updated and implementing proper security controls in mission-critical infrastructure environments. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other components of the telecommunications stack.