CVE-2007-0648 in IOS
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco IOS after 12.3(14)T, 12.3(8)YC1, 12.3(8)YG, and 12.4, with voice support and without Session Initiated Protocol (SIP) configured, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) by sending a crafted packet to port 5060/UDP.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/19/2024
Cisco IOS devices running versions after 12.3(14)T, 12.3(8)YC1, 12.3(8)YG, and 12.4 with voice support enabled are vulnerable to a remote denial of service condition that can be triggered by sending specifically crafted packets to UDP port 5060. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the voice processing modules of the IOS operating system, particularly when handling SIP signaling traffic. The flaw manifests when the system receives malformed or unexpected packets on the SIP registration port, causing the affected router or switch to crash and restart automatically. This behavior represents a critical weakness in the system's fault tolerance mechanisms and demonstrates a failure in proper packet validation and error handling within the voice processing stack. The vulnerability specifically impacts devices configured with voice capabilities but without SIP protocol support, creating a dangerous scenario where legitimate voice services can be disrupted through simple network-based attacks. The technical implementation of this flaw involves improper handling of SIP packet structures during the parsing phase, where the system does not adequately validate packet headers or content before processing them through the voice service modules. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which describes improper validation of input boundaries, and CWE-248, which covers exposure of unintended alternative path. The attack vector requires minimal sophistication as remote attackers only need to send UDP packets to the well-known SIP port 5060 without requiring authentication or privileged access. The operational impact extends beyond simple service disruption, as the automatic restart of affected devices can lead to extended network outages, particularly in mission-critical environments where voice communication is essential. Network administrators may experience unexpected service interruptions and potential cascading failures if multiple devices in the same network segment are affected simultaneously. The vulnerability also presents challenges for forensic analysis and incident response, as the system crashes may not provide adequate logging or error reporting to identify the root cause of the disruption. Organizations implementing Cisco IOS voice services must consider the implications of this vulnerability when designing network resilience strategies and incident response procedures. The flaw demonstrates a fundamental issue in the software's defensive programming practices and highlights the importance of robust input validation in network infrastructure devices. This vulnerability can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers network denial of service attacks, and T1566.001, which involves spearphishing with social engineering tactics that can be used to deliver the malicious packets. The potential for exploitation increases in environments where voice services are deployed without proper network segmentation or monitoring controls. The affected versions represent a significant security gap in Cisco's IOS release cycle, indicating that the company's quality assurance processes may have overlooked critical input validation requirements for voice processing modules. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining updated network infrastructure and implementing proper network monitoring to detect and respond to such attacks before they can cause significant disruption. The impact on network availability and reliability makes this vulnerability particularly concerning for enterprises that depend heavily on voice communication systems for business continuity and emergency response capabilities.