CVE-2015-8083 in eSpace U1910
Summary
by MITRE
An unspecified module in Huawei eSpace U1910, U1911, U1930, U1960, U1980, and U1981 unified gateways with software before V200R003C00SPC300 does not properly initialize memory when processing timeout messages, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds memory access and device restart) via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/13/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-8083 affects Huawei eSpace unified gateway series including models U1910, U1911, U1930, U1960, U1980, and U1981. This issue stems from improper memory initialization within an unspecified module of the device software, specifically impacting systems running firmware versions prior to V200R003C00SPC300. The flaw manifests when the device processes timeout messages, creating a condition where memory operations become unpredictable and potentially unsafe. This vulnerability falls under the category of memory safety issues and aligns with CWE-457, which describes uninitialized variables that may lead to unpredictable behavior and security consequences. The improper memory handling creates a scenario where remote attackers can exploit the device's processing of timeout messages to trigger out-of-bounds memory access conditions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it enables remote attackers to execute a denial of service attack against the affected Huawei devices. When the maliciously crafted timeout messages are processed, the uninitialized memory causes the system to experience out-of-bounds memory access, leading to system instability and eventual device restart. This creates a persistent availability issue where legitimate users cannot access the unified communication services provided by these gateways. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access or local network presence, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where these devices often serve as critical communication infrastructure. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it operates through standard timeout message processing, which occurs routinely in normal device operations.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability represents a classic example of how memory management flaws can be weaponized for denial of service attacks. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a system service denial of service technique, specifically targeting the availability aspect of the CIA triad. The vulnerability demonstrates poor software engineering practices where proper memory initialization routines were not implemented or maintained, creating a persistent security weakness. Organizations using these devices face potential business disruption as the device restarts can interrupt critical communication services, affecting voice, video, and data transmission capabilities across the network. The vulnerability affects the operational continuity of unified communication systems and requires immediate remediation to prevent exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-8083 should prioritize immediate firmware updates to the affected Huawei devices, specifically targeting the V200R003C00SPC300 release or later versions that contain the necessary memory initialization fixes. Network administrators should implement monitoring solutions to detect unusual timeout message patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, though this represents a reactive approach rather than a preventive one. The vulnerability highlights the importance of regular security patch management and firmware updates as part of enterprise cybersecurity protocols. Organizations should also consider network segmentation to limit the potential impact of such attacks, while implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify anomalous timeout message processing behaviors. Additionally, the incident underscores the need for comprehensive security testing of network infrastructure devices, particularly focusing on memory safety and initialization routines to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future software releases.