CVE-2010-0601 in PGW 2200 Softswitch
Summary
by MITRE
The MGCP implementation on the Cisco PGW 2200 Softswitch with software before 9.7(3)S11 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (device crash) via a malformed packet, aka Bug ID CSCsl39126.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/13/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-0601 represents a critical denial of service flaw within the Media Gateway Control Protocol implementation of Cisco's PGW 2200 Softswitch device. This issue affects software versions prior to 9.7(3)S11 and demonstrates how malformed packet handling can lead to complete device failure, disrupting critical telecommunications services. The vulnerability specifically targets the MGCP protocol stack which governs communication between media gateways and gateway controllers in telecommunications networks, making it particularly dangerous in production environments where network reliability is paramount.
The technical flaw manifests through improper validation of incoming MGCP packets, where the device fails to adequately sanitize or reject malformed data structures before processing. When a remote attacker crafts and transmits specially crafted packets containing invalid MGCP message formats, the device's parsing logic encounters unexpected data patterns that trigger unhandled exceptions or memory corruption conditions. This results in the softswitch device crashing and requiring manual restart to restore service availability. The vulnerability operates at the network protocol level, exploiting weaknesses in the MGCP implementation that should have included robust input validation mechanisms to prevent malformed packets from causing system instability.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to telecommunications service providers who rely on Cisco PGW 2200 devices for their network infrastructure. The remote exploitation capability means attackers can potentially disrupt services from outside the network perimeter without requiring physical access or authentication credentials. The impact extends beyond simple service interruption to include potential revenue loss, customer dissatisfaction, and increased operational overhead from emergency response procedures. Network administrators face the challenge of maintaining service availability while applying patches, as the device crash can occur rapidly and without warning, potentially affecting multiple concurrent calls or network sessions.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of input boundaries, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service attacks. Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including software upgrades to version 9.7(3)S11 or later, network segmentation to limit exposure, and monitoring for suspicious MGCP traffic patterns. Additionally, deploying intrusion detection systems capable of identifying malformed MGCP packets and implementing rate limiting controls on MGCP ports can help reduce the attack surface while maintaining service availability. The incident highlights the importance of regular security assessments and prompt patch management in telecommunications infrastructure to prevent exploitation of protocol-level vulnerabilities that can compromise entire network domains.