CVE-2014-6465 in Communications Session Border Controller
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Oracle Communications Session Border Controller component in Oracle Communications Applications SCX640m5 allows remote authenticated users to affect availability via unknown vectors related to Lawful Intercept.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/08/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-6465 resides within the Oracle Communications Session Border Controller component of Oracle Communications Applications SCX640m5, representing a significant security weakness that could compromise system availability. This issue affects the Lawful Intercept functionality, which is critical for telecommunications infrastructure that must comply with legal interception requirements. The vulnerability is classified as an unspecified flaw, indicating that the exact technical mechanism remains undisclosed, though the impact on system availability is clearly defined. The affected component operates within the telecommunications ecosystem where session border controllers manage signaling and media flows between different network domains, making it a potential target for adversaries seeking to disrupt communication services.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it within the realm of availability-focused attacks that leverage authenticated access to cause system disruption. Lawful Intercept functionality typically involves the monitoring and recording of communications for legal purposes, requiring the system to maintain consistent operational status. The unspecified vectors suggest that the flaw could be exploited through various methods related to the interception processes, potentially including resource exhaustion, denial of service conditions, or disruption of lawful interception capabilities. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-400, which encompasses weaknesses related to resource exhaustion and availability attacks, and could potentially map to ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service attacks. The authenticated nature of the exploit requires an attacker to have valid credentials, which may be obtained through credential theft, privilege escalation, or other initial compromise methods.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise the integrity of lawful interception capabilities that are mandated by legal frameworks in many jurisdictions. Communications service providers rely on session border controllers to maintain compliance with legal requirements while managing complex signaling protocols. When availability is affected through this vulnerability, it could result in incomplete interception records, failed monitoring operations, or complete service outages that impact both legitimate legal requirements and normal business operations. The potential for cascading effects exists as disruption to lawful interception capabilities may also impact other security monitoring functions, potentially creating gaps in the overall security posture. Organizations utilizing this component may face regulatory compliance issues, service level agreement violations, and potential legal consequences due to the inability to maintain required interception capabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-6465 should focus on both immediate protective measures and long-term remediation approaches. The most effective immediate response involves applying Oracle's security patches and updates as soon as they become available, which would address the underlying vulnerability in the session border controller component. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit the scope of potential exploitation, ensuring that only authorized personnel have access to the lawful interception functionality. Monitoring and logging should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns in lawful interception activities, which could indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments should be conducted to identify potential privilege escalation paths that could lead to authenticated access. The implementation of intrusion detection systems specifically configured to monitor lawful interception protocols could provide early warning of exploitation attempts. Organizations should also review their credential management practices and implement multi-factor authentication for privileged access to minimize the risk of unauthorized access to the vulnerable component. Compliance with industry standards such as NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 should be maintained to ensure proper security controls are in place for telecommunications infrastructure.