CVE-2011-1599 in Asterisk
Summary
by MITRE
manager.c in the Manager Interface in Asterisk Open Source 1.4.x before 1.4.40.1, 1.6.1.x before 1.6.1.25, 1.6.2.x before 1.6.2.17.3, and 1.8.x before 1.8.3.3 and Asterisk Business Edition C.x.x before C.3.6.4 does not properly check for the system privilege, which allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary commands via an Originate action that has an Async header in conjunction with an Application header.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/04/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2011-1599 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the Asterisk Manager Interface component that affects multiple versions of the open source telephony platform. This issue resides in the manager.c file and specifically targets the Manager Interface functionality that enables remote management of Asterisk systems. The vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of system privileges during the processing of Originate actions, creating a pathway for authenticated attackers to bypass security controls and execute arbitrary commands on the underlying system. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it allows remote authenticated users to leverage their legitimate access privileges to perform unauthorized system-level operations, effectively elevating their privileges beyond what was initially granted.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a carefully crafted Originate action that combines an Async header with an Application header, creating a condition where the system fails to properly verify whether the requesting user possesses the necessary system privileges to execute the specified application. This misconfiguration in the privilege checking mechanism allows attackers to inject malicious commands through the Manager Interface, which then get executed with the privileges of the Asterisk process itself. The vulnerability specifically affects versions of Asterisk that were released prior to the mentioned patch levels, including the 1.4.x, 1.6.1.x, 1.6.2.x, 1.8.x series, and the Business Edition C.x.x versions. The exploitation requires an attacker to have valid authentication credentials to access the Manager Interface, making this a privilege escalation rather than a simple remote code execution vulnerability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple command execution, as it provides attackers with a means to gain complete control over the affected Asterisk system. Once exploited, attackers can perform actions such as executing arbitrary shell commands, accessing sensitive system files, modifying configuration settings, and potentially using the compromised system as a pivot point for further attacks within the network. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where Asterisk systems are used for voice communication and may be integrated with other business-critical systems. From an attacker perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques described in the ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation and execution tactics, where adversaries leverage legitimate credentials to perform unauthorized operations. The flaw also relates to CWE-269, which describes improper privilege management, and CWE-78, which covers OS command injection vulnerabilities, making it a compound security issue that combines multiple attack vectors.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement the available patches for their Asterisk installations, ensuring that all systems are updated to versions that contain the necessary privilege checking fixes. Network segmentation should be implemented to limit access to the Manager Interface to only trusted administrative networks, and strict access controls should be enforced through strong authentication mechanisms. Monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual Originate actions or patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, and regular security audits should be conducted to verify that the Manager Interface is not exposed to unnecessary network access. Additionally, implementing network-based intrusion detection systems can help identify and alert on suspicious Manager Interface traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper privilege validation in telephony systems and the potential for authenticated users to cause significant damage when privilege boundaries are not properly enforced.