CVE-2008-3799 in IOS
Summary
by MITRE
Memory leak in the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) implementation in Cisco IOS 12.2 through 12.4, when VoIP is configured, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (memory consumption and voice-service outage) via unspecified valid SIP messages.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/17/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-3799 represents a critical memory leak issue within Cisco IOS software versions 12.2 through 12.4 that specifically affects Session Initiation Protocol implementations used in voice over IP configurations. This flaw manifests when the system processes valid SIP messages, creating a condition where memory resources gradually become consumed without proper release mechanisms. The vulnerability operates at the network infrastructure level, targeting the core signaling protocol implementation that manages voice communication sessions in enterprise and service provider environments. According to the Common Weakness Enumeration framework, this vulnerability maps to CWE-401: Improper Release of Memory, which classifies it as a memory management flaw that occurs when allocated memory is not properly deallocated, leading to resource exhaustion. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires only valid SIP messages to trigger the memory leak, making it accessible to remote attackers without requiring privileged access or complex exploitation techniques.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple resource consumption to create significant service disruption within VoIP environments. When the memory leak occurs, the affected Cisco IOS device gradually consumes available memory resources until system performance degrades substantially or completely fails, resulting in voice service outages that can affect multiple concurrent calls and potentially entire communication networks. The memory consumption pattern typically follows a progressive degradation where the system becomes increasingly unstable over time, eventually leading to complete service disruption. This behavior directly aligns with the ATT&CK framework's denial of service tactics, specifically categorized under T1499.004: Endpoint Denial of Service, where adversaries exploit software vulnerabilities to exhaust system resources and prevent legitimate use of services. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely heavily on SIP-based voice communication systems, including enterprise networks, service provider gateways, and unified communications platforms that depend on Cisco IOS for their signaling infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-3799 should prioritize immediate software updates to the latest available IOS versions that contain patches addressing the memory leak in SIP implementations. Cisco released specific advisories and software updates to resolve this vulnerability, making it essential for network administrators to implement these patches promptly across all affected devices. Network segmentation and access controls should be enhanced to limit exposure of vulnerable devices to untrusted networks, particularly by implementing firewalls that filter SIP traffic and restrict unnecessary access to VoIP infrastructure. Monitoring systems should be deployed to track memory consumption patterns and establish automated alerts when memory usage exceeds predefined thresholds, enabling proactive response to potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, network administrators should consider implementing redundant voice services and failover mechanisms to minimize service disruption during patch deployment or when immediate remediation is not possible. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining current security patches and conducting regular vulnerability assessments of network infrastructure, particularly in environments where voice services are critical to business operations. Organizations should also review their incident response procedures to ensure readiness for potential denial of service scenarios involving voice communication systems.