CVE-2008-5872 in Multimedia Communication Server 5100
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple unspecified vulnerabilities in the UNIStim File Transfer Protocol (UFTP) processing in IP Client Manager (IPCM) in Nortel Multimedia Communication Server (MSC) 5100 3.0.13 allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (device outage) via a UFTP message that has a negative block size or other crafted Connection Details values.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/28/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-5872 resides within the UNIStim File Transfer Protocol implementation in Nortel's Multimedia Communication Server 5100 version 3.0.13. This flaw specifically affects the IP Client Manager component responsible for handling UFTP messages, creating a critical security gap that enables remote attackers to disrupt service availability. The vulnerability operates through the processing of crafted UFTP messages that contain malformed Connection Details values, particularly negative block sizes that the system fails to properly validate or sanitize. This represents a classic buffer over-read or integer underflow condition that can lead to system instability and complete service disruption.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the UFTP message processing pipeline of the IPCM component. When the system receives a UFTP message containing a negative block size or other malformed Connection Details values, the processing logic fails to properly handle these invalid inputs, leading to unpredictable behavior in the memory management and processing routines. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of array indices, and CWE-191, which covers integer underflow conditions. The lack of proper bounds checking and input sanitization creates an environment where crafted malicious messages can trigger system crashes or resource exhaustion, ultimately resulting in denial of service conditions that can take the entire communication server offline.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to encompass broader network reliability and business continuity concerns. When exploited successfully, attackers can cause complete device outages that affect all communication services running through the Nortel MSC 5100 system, potentially disrupting critical business operations and communication infrastructure. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers do not need physical access or network proximity to the affected system, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where network security controls may be insufficient. From an attack methodology perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1498, which covers network denial of service attacks, and T1566, which covers credential harvesting through social engineering or exploitation of system vulnerabilities. The impact affects not only the immediate availability of voice and data services but also creates potential cascading effects throughout the communication network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-5872 should focus on immediate defensive measures including network segmentation to limit access to the affected IPCM component, implementing strict input validation and sanitization at network boundaries, and deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious UFTP message patterns. Organizations should also consider applying available vendor patches or firmware updates if they are still supported, though this particular vulnerability affects an older system version where support may have been discontinued. Network administrators should implement logging and monitoring of UFTP traffic to detect anomalous patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, while also ensuring that access controls are properly configured to limit who can submit UFTP messages to the system. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and proper error handling in communication protocol implementations, serving as a reminder that even seemingly minor flaws in network protocols can lead to catastrophic service disruptions.