CVE-2015-0601 in Unified IP Phone 9900
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco Unified IP 9900 phones with firmware 9.4(.1) and earlier allow local users to cause a denial of service (device reload) via crafted commands, aka Bug ID CSCup92790.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/21/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-0601 affects Cisco Unified IP 9900 telephony devices running firmware versions 9.4.1 and earlier, representing a significant security weakness that enables local attackers to induce device-level denial of service conditions. This flaw manifests through the exploitation of crafted commands that, when executed on the affected device, trigger an automatic device reload process that effectively renders the phone unavailable for its intended communication functions. The vulnerability specifically targets the command processing mechanism within the device's firmware, creating an exploitable condition that allows unauthorized local access to manipulate critical system functions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the insufficient validation and sanitization of input commands within the Cisco IP phone's operating system. When local users submit specially crafted commands through the device's interface or management protocols, the system fails to properly validate the command parameters before execution. This lack of proper input validation creates a condition where maliciously formatted commands can bypass normal execution controls and trigger unintended system behaviors. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-122, which addresses buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-20, which covers input validation issues, both of which are fundamental weaknesses in software design that allow attackers to manipulate system behavior through malformed inputs.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can severely compromise business continuity and communication infrastructure reliability within enterprise environments. When exploited, the device reload mechanism forces the phone to restart its entire operating system, potentially causing temporary loss of communication capabilities for critical personnel. In mission-critical environments where phone availability is paramount, such as healthcare facilities, financial institutions, or emergency response systems, this vulnerability could result in significant operational disruptions. The local nature of the exploit means that any individual with physical access to the device or network credentials that allow local command execution can potentially trigger the denial of service condition.
From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers network denial of service attacks, and represents a form of system compromise that can be leveraged to create persistent availability issues. The vulnerability's classification as a local privilege escalation vector means that attackers with minimal access levels can potentially cause significant operational damage without requiring elevated privileges. Organizations should consider this vulnerability within the broader context of their security posture, particularly in environments where physical access controls may be insufficient or where network segmentation is inadequate. The vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of firmware update management protocols, as the issue was resolved through subsequent firmware releases that implemented proper command validation mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-0601 should prioritize immediate firmware upgrades to versions that address the command validation flaws, while also implementing additional network security controls to limit local access to affected devices. Network segmentation and access control policies should be reinforced to restrict physical and network access to these devices, particularly in areas where unauthorized individuals might gain access. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual command execution patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, and regular vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other networked devices. The remediation process should also involve comprehensive testing of firmware updates in controlled environments before deployment to production systems to ensure that the patches do not introduce compatibility issues or additional operational risks that could compound the original vulnerability's impact.