CVE-2008-5871 in Multimedia Communication Server 5100
Summary
by MITRE
Nortel Multimedia Communication Server (MSC) 5100 3.0.13 does not verify credentials during call placement, which allows remote attackers to spoof and redirect VoIP calls, possibly related to the snoop command.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/30/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-5871 affects the Nortel Multimedia Communication Server (MSC) 5100 version 3.0.13, representing a critical security flaw in voice over internet protocol communications infrastructure. This issue stems from insufficient authentication mechanisms during the call establishment process, creating a pathway for unauthorized actors to manipulate telephony services without proper authorization. The vulnerability specifically relates to the snoop command functionality within the MSC system, which should require strict credential verification but fails to enforce such requirements.
The technical flaw manifests as a lack of proper authentication checks when processing call placement requests through the MSC 5100 platform. When users attempt to initiate or modify voice calls, the system does not adequately validate the credentials of the requesting entity, allowing malicious actors to exploit this weakness. The snoop command, designed for legitimate monitoring purposes, becomes a vector for unauthorized call manipulation when proper authentication is bypassed. This vulnerability falls under the category of weak authentication mechanisms and represents a failure in implementing proper access controls for telephony services. The flaw directly relates to CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication issues in security systems, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1566 for credential harvesting and T1071 for application layer protocols.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it enables sophisticated call manipulation attacks that can compromise entire communication networks. Remote attackers can spoof legitimate users, redirect calls to unintended destinations, and potentially intercept sensitive voice communications. This capability undermines the fundamental security assumptions of the telephony infrastructure, allowing adversaries to disrupt business operations, conduct eavesdropping activities, or perform social engineering attacks through manipulated call routing. The vulnerability affects organizations relying on Nortel MSC 5100 systems for critical communication services, potentially exposing sensitive corporate or government communications to unauthorized access. The consequences include potential data breaches, service disruption, and compliance violations that could result in significant financial and reputational damage.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-5871 should focus on immediate implementation of network segmentation and access control measures to limit exposure to the vulnerable MSC 5100 system. Organizations should deploy network monitoring solutions to detect anomalous call routing patterns and unauthorized snoop command usage. The most effective remediation involves applying vendor-provided security patches or upgrading to supported versions of the Nortel MSC 5100 software that properly enforce credential verification. Network administrators should implement strict firewall rules to restrict access to the MSC 5100 management interfaces and ensure that only authorized personnel can access the snoop command functionality. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their VoIP infrastructure to identify similar authentication weaknesses in other network components and establish robust logging and auditing procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts. The implementation of encrypted communication channels and multi-factor authentication for administrative access can further strengthen defenses against similar vulnerabilities in telephony systems.