CVE-2010-2828 in IOS
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the H.323 implementation in Cisco IOS 12.1 through 12.4 and 15.0 through 15.1, and IOS XE 2.5.x before 2.5.2 and 2.6.x before 2.6.1, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (device reload) via crafted H.323 packets, aka Bug ID CSCtc73759.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/25/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-2828 represents a critical denial of service weakness within Cisco IOS implementations that affects multiple software versions including 12.1 through 12.4, 15.0 through 15.1, and specific IOS XE releases. This flaw resides in the H.323 protocol handling mechanism which is commonly used for voice and video communication over IP networks. The vulnerability specifically targets the processing of malformed H.323 packets that can be crafted by remote attackers to exploit the underlying software implementation. The attack vector requires no authentication and can be executed from any network location capable of sending H.323 packets to the affected device, making it particularly dangerous for network infrastructure components that are exposed to external traffic. The flaw manifests as a device reload or complete system restart, effectively disrupting network services and potentially causing significant operational downtime. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-121 which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.1 which covers network denial of service attacks targeting network infrastructure devices. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption as it can compromise the availability of critical communication services that rely on H.323 for voice and video conferencing applications.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the affected Cisco IOS device receives specially crafted H.323 packets that trigger improper memory handling within the protocol stack. The flaw appears to stem from insufficient input validation and boundary checking during the parsing of H.323 message structures, particularly around the handling of certain packet fields that contain unexpected or malformed data. When these crafted packets are processed by the device's H.323 implementation, the memory corruption causes the system to crash and subsequently reload. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because H.323 is widely deployed in enterprise and service provider networks for telephony and multimedia communications, making the potential impact widespread across various network environments. The specific nature of the flaw suggests that it may involve improper handling of packet headers, message lengths, or parameter values that exceed expected boundaries. Security researchers have noted that such vulnerabilities often stem from complex protocol implementations where the parser does not adequately validate input data before processing, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged for denial of service attacks.
From an operational perspective, the implications of CVE-2010-2828 are severe for organizations relying on Cisco networking equipment for voice communication services. The vulnerability can be exploited by unauthorized parties to disrupt critical business communications, potentially affecting customer service operations, emergency response systems, and enterprise collaboration platforms. Network administrators face the challenge of identifying vulnerable devices within their infrastructure and implementing remediation measures without disrupting ongoing communications. The attack can be executed asynchronously and does not require sophisticated tools or deep technical knowledge, making it accessible to a broad range of threat actors. Organizations must consider the cascading effects of such an attack, as the device reload can impact other services running on the same platform and may trigger additional network instability. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date firmware and security patches, as the affected versions represent extended periods of time during which the flaw was present in Cisco's product line. This type of vulnerability often requires immediate attention and can lead to significant business disruption if not addressed promptly.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-2828 primarily involve applying the appropriate Cisco security patches and firmware updates that address the underlying memory handling issues in the H.323 implementation. Organizations should prioritize patching all affected Cisco IOS and IOS XE devices, particularly those with H.323 functionality enabled and exposed to external networks. Network segmentation and access control measures can provide temporary protection by limiting the exposure of vulnerable devices to untrusted networks. Implementing packet filtering rules to block H.323 traffic at network boundaries or within specific segments can reduce the attack surface until proper patches are applied. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual device reloading patterns or abnormal network traffic that might indicate exploitation attempts. Network administrators should also consider disabling H.323 functionality entirely if it is not essential for business operations, which provides an immediate defense against exploitation. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of vulnerability management programs and regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar issues before they can be exploited in the wild. Organizations should also implement network monitoring solutions capable of detecting anomalous behavior related to H.323 protocol processing and maintain detailed inventory records of all network devices to ensure comprehensive patch management coverage.