CVE-2010-1567 in PGW 2200 Softswitch
Summary
by MITRE
The SIP implementation on the Cisco PGW 2200 Softswitch with software before 9.8(1)S5 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (device crash) via a malformed header, aka Bug ID CSCsz13590.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/13/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-1567 affects the Session Initiation Protocol implementation within Cisco PGW 2200 Softswitch devices operating with software versions prior to 9.8(1)S5. This issue represents a critical denial of service weakness that can be exploited by remote attackers to crash the affected device. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the system receives a malformed SIP header, which triggers an improper handling mechanism within the software's SIP processing engine. The Cisco PGW 2200 Softswitch serves as a crucial component in telecommunications networks, handling session initiation and management for voice over IP services, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for network infrastructure security.
The technical flaw stems from insufficient input validation within the SIP header processing functionality of the affected Cisco software implementation. When a malformed header is received, the system fails to properly sanitize or reject the malformed data, instead attempting to process it in a manner that leads to memory corruption or stack overflow conditions. This processing error ultimately results in an abrupt device crash and subsequent denial of service for legitimate users attempting to establish or maintain SIP sessions. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of improper input validation leading to system instability. The attack vector requires only the ability to send specially crafted SIP messages to the device, making it accessible to remote threat actors without requiring physical access or elevated privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise the reliability and availability of telecommunications services. When exploited, the device crash causes complete service interruption for all SIP-based communications passing through the affected PGW 2200 Softswitch, affecting voice calls, video conferencing, and other real-time communication services. Network administrators may experience extended downtime while troubleshooting and applying patches, leading to significant business disruption for organizations relying on these critical infrastructure components. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can target multiple devices from external network locations, amplifying the potential impact across entire network domains. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in carrier-grade environments where service availability is paramount and any disruption can cascade through interconnected network services.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-1567 primarily involve immediate software patching to the affected Cisco PGW 2200 Softswitch devices, upgrading to software version 9.8(1)S5 or later. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of these devices to untrusted networks, while monitoring SIP traffic for malformed headers that could indicate exploitation attempts. Network administrators should consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify and alert on suspicious SIP header patterns, as well as establishing robust backup and recovery procedures to minimize downtime during patch deployment. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches in telecommunications infrastructure, as outlined in the ATT&CK framework's defense evasion techniques. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify similar weaknesses in other network components, particularly those handling real-time communication protocols. The incident highlights the necessity of implementing comprehensive security monitoring solutions that can detect abnormal behavior patterns in critical network infrastructure devices.