CVE-2014-8422 in OpenScape
Summary
by MITRE
The web-based management (WBM) interface in Unify (former Siemens) OpenStage SIP and OpenScape Desk Phone IP V3 devices before R3.32.0 generates session cookies with insufficient entropy, which makes it easier for remote attackers to hijack sessions via a brute-force attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/24/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-8422 affects the web-based management interface of Unify OpenStage SIP and OpenScape Desk Phone IP V3 devices running firmware versions prior to R3.32.0. This represents a critical security weakness in the authentication mechanism of these VoIP devices that are commonly deployed in enterprise communication environments. The flaw specifically resides in how session cookies are generated for the web management interface, creating a significant attack surface that adversaries can exploit to gain unauthorized access to device management functions.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from the insufficient entropy in the session cookie generation algorithm. Session cookies are cryptographic tokens used to maintain user authentication state between the web browser and the device management interface. When these tokens lack sufficient randomness and entropy, they become predictable and vulnerable to brute-force attacks. The weakness lies in the pseudorandom number generator implementation that creates these session identifiers, which do not meet the cryptographic requirements necessary for secure session management. This vulnerability maps directly to CWE-330, which specifically addresses the use of insufficiently random values in security-critical contexts, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for credential access through brute force methods.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial for organizations deploying these devices in their network infrastructure. Remote attackers who can observe or intercept session cookies can systematically guess valid session identifiers through brute-force techniques, potentially gaining full administrative access to the device management interface. This access would allow attackers to modify device configurations, view sensitive communication data, implement man-in-the-middle attacks, or even use the device as a pivot point for further network exploration. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects devices that are often deployed in enterprise environments where they may be directly accessible from the internet or within internal networks, providing attackers multiple potential attack vectors.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately prioritize firmware updates to versions R3.32.0 or later, which contain the necessary cryptographic improvements to session cookie generation. Network segmentation strategies should be implemented to limit direct access to these devices, and administrators should consider disabling the web management interface when not actively needed. Additional security measures include implementing strong access controls, monitoring for unusual login patterns, and ensuring that administrative credentials are not reused across multiple systems. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper entropy in cryptographic implementations and serves as a reminder of the need for comprehensive security testing of embedded systems and network devices. Organizations should also conduct vulnerability assessments to identify other devices that may be affected by similar session management weaknesses, as this type of flaw is commonly found in embedded systems where resource constraints may lead to insufficient cryptographic implementations.