CVE-2007-4294 in Unified Communications Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CUCM) 5.0, 5.1, and 6.0, and IOS 12.0 through 12.4, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a malformed SIP packet, aka CSCsi80102.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/23/2019
Cisco Unified Communications Manager versions 5.0 through 6.0 and IOS versions 12.0 through 12.4 contain an unspecified vulnerability that enables remote code execution through malformed SIP packets. This vulnerability resides within the Session Initiation Protocol processing functionality of these communication systems, creating a critical security gap that can be exploited by attackers without authentication. The flaw specifically affects the handling of SIP messages within the Cisco Unified Communications infrastructure, where improper input validation allows maliciously crafted packets to trigger unexpected behavior in the underlying software stack. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-125 as an out-of-bounds read condition, which occurs when the system attempts to access memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries during SIP packet processing. This type of memory corruption vulnerability represents a fundamental weakness in the input validation mechanisms that should prevent malformed data from being processed by the communication services.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass complete system compromise and potential network infiltration. Attackers can leverage this weakness to gain unauthorized access to the communication infrastructure, potentially leading to eavesdropping on voice communications, manipulation of call routing, or establishment of persistent backdoors within the network. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries can exploit this vulnerability from outside the network perimeter, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that rely on SIP-based communication systems. When successfully exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected service, potentially enabling lateral movement throughout the network infrastructure. The attack surface is significant given that SIP is widely used for VoIP communications, making this vulnerability attractive to threat actors targeting enterprise communication networks. This weakness directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.002 for application layer protocol usage and T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter execution.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected systems with the latest Cisco security updates, as the vendor has released specific fixes addressing this memory corruption issue. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to SIP ports and services, particularly restricting direct internet exposure of communication infrastructure. Network access control lists should be configured to filter SIP traffic and prevent malformed packets from reaching vulnerable systems. Additionally, implementing intrusion detection systems with signature-based detection for known malicious SIP packet patterns can help identify exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments of communication infrastructure should include vulnerability scanning for similar memory corruption issues, as this class of vulnerability often indicates broader architectural weaknesses in input validation. The remediation process should involve comprehensive testing of patched systems to ensure that the vulnerability is fully resolved without introducing regressions in communication functionality. Organizations should also establish monitoring procedures to detect unusual SIP traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while maintaining detailed audit logs of communication system activities for forensic analysis purposes.