CVE-2007-6190 in Unified IP Phone
Summary
by MITRE
The HTTP daemon in the Cisco Unified IP Phone, when the Extension Mobility feature is enabled, allows remote authenticated users of other phones associated with the same CUCM server to eavesdrop on the physical environment via a CiscoIPPhoneExecute message containing a URL attribute of an ExecuteItem element that specifies a Real-Time Transport Protocol (RTP) audio stream.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/01/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-6190 represents a significant security flaw in Cisco Unified IP Phone systems that undermines the confidentiality and integrity of voice communications within enterprise networks. This vulnerability specifically affects Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CUCM) environments where the Extension Mobility feature is enabled, creating a scenario where authenticated users can exploit the system to gain unauthorized access to audio streams from other devices. The flaw exists within the HTTP daemon component of the IP phone software, which processes CiscoIPPhoneExecute messages containing URL attributes that can reference Real-Time Transport Protocol streams. This vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows attackers to eavesdrop on physical environments through the network infrastructure rather than requiring physical access to the devices themselves.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient access controls and validation within the Extension Mobility feature of Cisco IP phones. When Extension Mobility is enabled, users can seamlessly transfer their phone settings between different devices while maintaining their identity and associated permissions within the CUCM system. However, the HTTP daemon fails to properly validate or restrict access to RTP streams referenced in CiscoIPPhoneExecute messages, allowing authenticated users to craft malicious requests that can capture audio streams from other phones on the same network. This flaw enables what cybersecurity professionals categorize as a privilege escalation attack, where a user with legitimate access can leverage their credentials to access data not explicitly authorized for their role. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be classified under CWE-284, which deals with improper access control mechanisms, and may also relate to CWE-352, concerning cross-site request forgery issues in web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple eavesdropping capabilities to potentially compromise the entire security posture of an enterprise communication infrastructure. Attackers can use this vulnerability to capture sensitive conversations, monitor business operations, and gather intelligence about personnel movements or organizational activities. The attack vector requires only network access and authentication credentials for another phone user, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users share the same CUCM server. This vulnerability could facilitate corporate espionage, financial fraud, or other malicious activities that exploit the confidentiality of voice communications. Organizations may experience significant reputational damage and regulatory compliance issues if such unauthorized access occurs, especially in industries with strict confidentiality requirements such as healthcare, finance, or government sectors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-6190 should focus on implementing proper access controls and network segmentation to limit the scope of potential attacks. Organizations should disable the Extension Mobility feature when it is not required for business operations, as this removes the attack surface entirely. Network administrators should implement strict firewall rules to prevent unauthorized access to the HTTP daemon ports and ensure that only trusted devices can communicate with the CUCM server. The Cisco recommended solution includes applying security patches and updates to the affected IP phone firmware, as well as configuring the system to disable or restrict the use of CiscoIPPhoneExecute messages. Additionally, implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect unusual patterns in RTP stream access and establishing regular security audits of phone configurations can help identify potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1041, which covers data compression and T1566, focusing on credential access through network services, and may also involve T1071, which covers application layer protocols used for communication. Organizations should also consider implementing endpoint security solutions that can monitor for suspicious HTTP requests and unauthorized access attempts to voice communication systems.