CVE-2013-1176 in Telepresence Mcu Mse Series Software
Summary
by MITRE
The DSP card on Cisco TelePresence MCU 4500 and 4501 devices before 4.3(2.30), TelePresence MCU MSE 8510 devices before 4.3(2.30), and TelePresence Server before 2.3(1.55) does not properly validate H.264 data, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (device reload) via crafted RTP packets in a (1) SIP session or (2) H.323 session, aka Bug IDs CSCuc11328 and CSCub05448.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/02/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-1176 affects Cisco TelePresence Multi-Channel Units and Servers, specifically targeting the Digital Signal Processing card implementation within these devices. This flaw exists in firmware versions prior to 4.3(2.30) for MCU 4500/4501 models and MSE 8510 devices, as well as TelePresence Server versions before 2.3(1.55). The issue stems from inadequate validation of H.264 video data streams that are processed through the DSP card, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system's processing capabilities. The vulnerability manifests when the system receives specially crafted RTP packets containing malformed H.264 data during either SIP or H.323 communication sessions, leading to unexpected system behavior that ultimately results in device reload or complete system restart. This represents a significant security concern for organizations relying on Cisco TelePresence infrastructure for critical video conferencing operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the H.264 data validation mechanism within the DSP card's processing pipeline. When the system receives RTP packets containing crafted H.264 video data, the insufficient input validation causes the DSP card to process malformed data in a way that triggers an internal error condition. This error condition escalates to a system-level failure that forces the device to reload its operating system, effectively causing a denial of service condition. The vulnerability affects both SIP and H.323 communication protocols, indicating that the flaw exists at the media processing layer rather than at the application protocol level. This cross-protocol impact suggests that the vulnerability is rooted in the underlying video processing capabilities of the device rather than specific session management functions. The issue falls under CWE-129, Input Validation, and more specifically relates to CWE-125, Out-of-bounds Read, as the system attempts to process data beyond its intended boundaries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can affect critical business communications and collaboration infrastructure. Organizations utilizing these TelePresence systems for important meetings, remote collaboration, or critical business operations face potential downtime that could span from minutes to hours depending on the device's recovery time and network configuration. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries do not require physical access to the device or network privileges, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous. Attackers can exploit this flaw from anywhere on the network, potentially causing cascading effects in large enterprise environments where TelePresence systems are integrated with other communication infrastructure. The vulnerability can be exploited during active sessions, meaning that organizations may experience service interruptions during critical meetings or presentations, leading to productivity losses and potential business disruption. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, Network Denial of Service, where adversaries target network infrastructure to disrupt services.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-1176 require immediate firmware updates to versions 4.3(2.30) or later for affected devices, as Cisco has released patches specifically addressing this vulnerability. Network administrators should implement monitoring and intrusion detection systems to identify suspicious RTP traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additional protective measures include implementing network segmentation to isolate TelePresence infrastructure from critical business networks, applying access controls to limit who can initiate sessions, and establishing network-based filtering rules to restrict malformed RTP packet traffic. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect unusual reload patterns or system restarts that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining current firmware versions and implementing robust network security controls for specialized communication devices. Security teams should conduct vulnerability assessments to identify all affected devices within their network infrastructure and prioritize remediation efforts based on risk exposure and business criticality. This vulnerability demonstrates the necessity of regular security assessments and patch management processes for specialized telepresence and video conferencing systems that may not receive the same attention as general network infrastructure.