CVE-2008-6573 in Communication Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in Avaya SIP Enablement Services (SES) in Avaya Avaya Communication Manager 3.x, 4.0, and 5.0 (1) allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via unspecified vectors related to profiles in the SIP Personal Information Manager (SPIM) in the web interface; and allow remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL commands via unspecified vectors related to (2) permissions for SPIM profiles in the web interface and (3) a crafted SIP request to the SIP server.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/10/2017
The CVE-2008-6573 vulnerability represents a critical set of SQL injection flaws within Avaya SIP Enablement Services (SES) that affects Avaya Communication Manager versions 3.x, 4.0, and 5.0. This vulnerability resides in the SIP Personal Information Manager (SPIM) component of the web interface and exposes multiple attack vectors that could enable malicious actors to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database systems. The vulnerability specifically targets the authentication and authorization mechanisms within the SIP communication framework, creating a significant risk for organizations relying on Avaya's unified communications infrastructure.
The technical flaw manifests through multiple attack surfaces within the Avaya SES architecture, with the primary vulnerability occurring in the SPIM profile management functionality. Attackers can exploit this weakness through unspecified vectors that involve profile handling within the web interface, allowing them to inject malicious SQL payloads that bypass normal authentication checks. The vulnerability extends beyond simple web interface exploitation to include authenticated user scenarios where legitimate users with permissions can manipulate SPIM profile permissions through crafted input vectors. Additionally, a third vector exists through crafted SIP requests directly targeting the SIP server itself, demonstrating the interconnected nature of the vulnerability across different layers of the communication stack.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-6573 is severe and multifaceted, as it can lead to complete database compromise, unauthorized access to sensitive communication data, and potential system takeover. Attackers who successfully exploit these vulnerabilities can gain access to user credentials, call logs, personal information, and other sensitive data stored within the Avaya Communication Manager database. The remote execution capability means that attackers do not require physical access to the network, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where network segmentation may not be robust. The fact that both unauthenticated and authenticated attack vectors exist means that the vulnerability can be exploited by threat actors with varying levels of access, potentially leading to privilege escalation and persistent access within the communication infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-6573 should focus on immediate patching of affected Avaya Communication Manager versions, implementing network segmentation to isolate critical communication infrastructure, and deploying web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious SQL injection attempts. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any potential exploitation attempts and implement robust monitoring of database access patterns. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws, and represents a significant concern from an ATT&CK framework perspective under the T1190 technique for Exploit Public-Facing Application. Security teams should also consider implementing least privilege access controls for SPIM profile management functions and establish regular security audits of the SIP communication infrastructure to detect anomalous behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.
The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices in telecommunications infrastructure and highlights the need for regular security assessments of communication systems. Organizations should also implement proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout their SIP infrastructure to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in the future. Given the age of this vulnerability and the specific versions affected, organizations should prioritize upgrading to supported Avaya Communication Manager releases that include security patches addressing these SQL injection flaws.