CVE-2014-8412 in Asterisk
Summary
by MITRE
The (1) VoIP channel drivers, (2) DUNDi, and (3) Asterisk Manager Interface (AMI) in Asterisk Open Source 1.8.x before 1.8.32.1, 11.x before 11.14.1, 12.x before 12.7.1, and 13.x before 13.0.1 and Certified Asterisk 1.8.28 before 1.8.28-cert3 and 11.6 before 11.6-cert8 allows remote attackers to bypass the ACL restrictions via a packet with a source IP that does not share the address family as the first ACL entry.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/27/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2014-8412 represents a significant access control flaw affecting multiple components within the Asterisk telephony platform. This issue impacts the VoIP channel drivers, DUNDi functionality, and the Asterisk Manager Interface across various versions of the open source software and its certified variants. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of IP address validation within access control list (ACL) mechanisms, creating a pathway for remote attackers to circumvent security restrictions that should otherwise prevent unauthorized access to telephony services.
The technical flaw manifests when a malicious actor crafts network packets with source IP addresses that do not match the address family of the first ACL entry in a configured access control list. This discrepancy allows attackers to bypass the intended access restrictions by exploiting how the system processes IP address validation logic. Specifically, the vulnerability occurs because the system fails to properly validate that incoming packets originate from addresses within the same IP address family (IPv4 or IPv6) as the ACL entries, enabling attackers to spoof addresses that would otherwise be rejected by the access control system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it affects critical telephony infrastructure components that handle voice communications and system management. Attackers could potentially gain unauthorized access to VoIP channels, manipulate DUNDi lookups for directory services, or establish malicious connections through the Asterisk Manager Interface, which provides administrative access to the telephony system. This compromise could lead to unauthorized call routing, eavesdropping on communications, system takeover, and potential data exfiltration from telephony environments.
This vulnerability maps to CWE-284, which describes improper access control in software systems, specifically addressing the weakness where access restrictions are not properly enforced. The issue also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, which covers exploitation of remote services through network-based attacks. The attack vector involves remote exploitation of network services, making it particularly dangerous for organizations with telephony systems exposed to external networks. Organizations using affected versions of Asterisk should immediately implement security updates to address this flaw, as the vulnerability affects core components that are essential for telephony operations and system administration.
The remediation strategy involves upgrading to patched versions of Asterisk software, specifically versions 1.8.32.1, 11.14.1, 12.7.1, and 13.0.1 for the open source versions, along with their certified counterparts. Network administrators should also implement additional security measures including firewall rules to restrict access to telephony services, proper network segmentation, and monitoring for suspicious network activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper IP address validation in security systems and highlights the need for comprehensive testing of access control mechanisms in telecommunications infrastructure.