CVE-2008-1959 in SIPp
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in the get_remote_video_port_media function in call.cpp in SIPp 3.0 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service and possibly execute arbitrary code via a crafted SIP message. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/10/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-1959 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within the SIPp 3.0 telecommunications testing tool. This vulnerability specifically affects the get_remote_video_port_media function located in the call.cpp source file, making it a significant concern for organizations relying on SIPp for session initiation protocol testing and validation. The flaw manifests when the application processes crafted SIP messages, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers to compromise system integrity and availability.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the SIPp application's media port handling mechanism. When the get_remote_video_port_media function processes incoming SIP messages containing malformed or oversized media port specifications, the application fails to properly bounds-check the input data before copying it into a fixed-size stack buffer. This classic buffer overflow condition allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting the stack frame and executing arbitrary code with the privileges of the running SIPp process. The vulnerability's classification as stack-based indicates that the overflow occurs within the program's stack memory space, making it particularly dangerous as it can directly corrupt return addresses and function pointers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, presenting a comprehensive threat landscape for affected systems. Remote attackers can leverage this flaw to cause system crashes and restarts, leading to service disruption and potential data loss. More critically, the vulnerability may enable arbitrary code execution, allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access to systems running vulnerable versions of SIPp. This capability transforms the vulnerability from a mere availability concern into a serious security threat that could compromise entire network infrastructure, particularly in environments where SIPp is used for testing network equipment and services. The vulnerability affects organizations using SIPp for legitimate testing purposes, creating an attack surface that could be exploited to compromise testing environments and potentially spread to production systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action from affected organizations, including the urgent application of vendor patches and updates to SIPp versions that address the buffer overflow condition. System administrators should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of SIPp instances to untrusted networks, while also monitoring for suspicious SIP traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 stack-based buffer overflow, which is categorized under the Common Weakness Enumeration framework as a fundamental software security flaw requiring proper input validation and bounds checking. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving remote code execution and privilege escalation, potentially enabling attackers to establish persistent access within network environments. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify and alert on suspicious SIP message patterns, while maintaining comprehensive backup and recovery procedures to address potential system compromise scenarios that may arise from exploitation of this vulnerability.