CVE-2014-10375 in eXosip
Summary
by MITRE
handle_messages in eXtl_tls.c in eXosip before 5.0.0 mishandles a negative value in a content-length header.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/23/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-10375 resides within the eXosip library version 4.0.0 and earlier, specifically in the handle_messages function located in the eXtl_tls.c file. This issue represents a classic buffer overflow condition that occurs when processing SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) messages containing malformed content-length headers. The eXosip library serves as a comprehensive SIP stack implementation used by various VoIP applications and communication systems, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for deployed telephony infrastructure. The flaw manifests when the library encounters a negative value in the content-length header field of SIP messages, which should logically be a non-negative integer representing the size of the message body. This negative value exploitation scenario creates a scenario where the library's internal buffer management fails to properly validate input parameters, leading to potential memory corruption.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the SIP message parsing logic. When a SIP message arrives with a negative content-length value, the eXosip library's handle_messages function fails to properly sanitize or reject this invalid input before proceeding with buffer allocation or data processing operations. The negative value gets interpreted as a valid buffer size parameter, causing the application to attempt memory allocation or data copying operations with invalid parameters. This condition can lead to stack or heap corruption, potentially enabling remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on systems running vulnerable versions of eXosip. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of the lower bound of a buffer, and CWE-190, concerning integer overflow or wraparound conditions. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with the ATT&CK technique T1203, where adversaries leverage application vulnerabilities to execute code, particularly in communication protocols where buffer overflows are commonly exploited.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-10375 extends significantly beyond simple service disruption, as it presents a potential path for remote code execution within systems utilizing vulnerable eXosip implementations. Attackers can craft malicious SIP messages with negative content-length headers to exploit this vulnerability, potentially compromising servers, clients, or network infrastructure components that rely on eXosip for SIP communications. The vulnerability affects not only standalone applications but also integrated systems such as PBX (Private Branch Exchange) systems, SIP proxies, and VoIP gateways that depend on eXosip for protocol handling. Given that eXosip is widely used in enterprise communication systems, the exploitation of this vulnerability could result in complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or disruption of critical voice services. Organizations using vulnerable versions of eXosip should consider this vulnerability as a high-priority concern, particularly in environments where SIP traffic is not properly filtered or where systems lack adequate intrusion detection measures. The vulnerability's exploitation potential aligns with ATT&CK tactic TA0040, specifically focusing on privilege escalation and persistence through code execution in network communication services.
The recommended mitigation strategy for CVE-2014-10375 involves immediate upgrade to eXosip version 5.0.0 or later, where the vulnerability has been addressed through proper input validation and error handling mechanisms. Additionally, network administrators should implement SIP message filtering rules to detect and block malformed content-length headers, particularly those containing negative values. The implementation of intrusion detection systems specifically tuned to identify suspicious SIP message patterns can provide early warning of potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems utilizing vulnerable eXosip versions and ensure proper patch management procedures are in place. The fix implemented in eXosip 5.0.0 addresses the root cause by introducing robust validation of content-length header values and proper handling of edge cases in message parsing, thereby preventing the buffer overflow conditions that previously enabled exploitation. System administrators should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of SIP services to untrusted networks, reducing the attack surface for potential exploitation of this and related vulnerabilities.