CVE-2008-2085 in SIPp
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple stack-based buffer overflows in the (1) get_remote_ip_media and (2) get_remote_ipv6_media functions in call.cpp in SIPp 3.1 allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a crafted SIP message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/14/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-2085 represents a critical security flaw in SIPp version 3.1, a widely used open-source tool for testing Session Initiation Protocol implementations. This vulnerability affects two specific functions within the call.cpp source file, namely get_remote_ip_media and get_remote_ipv6_media, which are responsible for processing SIP message components related to media IP addresses. The flaw manifests as stack-based buffer overflows that occur when the application processes malformed SIP messages containing crafted media address information, creating a dangerous condition that can be exploited by remote attackers without authentication.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and buffer management within the SIPp application's SIP message parsing logic. When the get_remote_ip_media and get_remote_ipv6_media functions receive SIP messages containing oversized or malformed media address fields, they fail to properly bounds-check the input data before copying it into fixed-size stack buffers. This classic buffer overflow condition allows attackers to overwrite adjacent stack memory locations, potentially corrupting program execution flow and leading to unpredictable behavior. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through normal SIP communication channels, making it accessible to any remote attacker who can send SIP messages to the targeted system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially enable remote code execution. When exploited successfully, the buffer overflows can cause the SIPp application to crash or behave unpredictably, leading to service disruption and potential system compromise. The attack vector requires only that an attacker be able to send crafted SIP messages to a vulnerable SIPp instance, which makes this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations using SIPp for network testing and validation. The potential for arbitrary code execution means that attackers could gain control of the testing environment, potentially compromising the integrity of network testing operations and exposing underlying systems to further attacks.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 stack-based buffer overflow classification and maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1203 Exploitation for Client Execution and T1499 Endpoint Denial of Service. The attack surface is particularly concerning for organizations that rely on SIPp for security testing, as compromised testing environments could provide attackers with information about network configurations and security postures. Organizations using vulnerable versions of SIPp should immediately implement mitigations including input validation, network segmentation, and application hardening measures. The recommended approach involves updating to patched versions of SIPp, implementing network monitoring to detect malformed SIP traffic, and applying defensive programming techniques that prevent similar buffer overflow conditions in other network applications. Additionally, security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of their SIP-based infrastructure to identify and remediate similar issues that may exist in other components of their communication systems.