CVE-2017-17221 in eSpace 7950
Summary
by MITRE
Import Signal Tone function in Huawei eSpace 7950 V200R003C30; eSpace 8950 V200R003C00; V200R003C30 has a remote code execution vulnerability. An authenticated, remote attacker can craft and send the packets to the affected products after the Signal Tone is uploaded. Due to insufficient verification of the packets, this could be exploited to execute arbitrary code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/17/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-17221 affects Huawei eSpace 7950 and 8950 IP phone systems running specific firmware versions including V200R003C30 and V200R003C00. This represents a critical remote code execution flaw that undermines the security posture of enterprise communication infrastructure. The vulnerability specifically targets the Import Signal Tone function, which is designed to handle audio file imports for system signaling purposes. The flaw exists within the packet processing mechanism of these communication devices, creating a pathway for malicious actors to compromise the affected systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and packet verification mechanisms within the signal tone import functionality. When legitimate users upload signal tone files, the system processes these packets without sufficient sanitization checks, allowing an authenticated attacker to craft malicious packets that bypass normal validation procedures. This weakness aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and represents a classic example of how insufficient data validation can lead to arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability operates at the network protocol level where the system fails to properly verify packet integrity and content before processing.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to enterprise environments as it enables authenticated remote code execution, meaning attackers who can establish valid credentials can remotely compromise the affected devices. The impact extends beyond individual device compromise to potentially affect entire communication networks, as these IP phones often serve as critical components in enterprise voice infrastructure. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to gain persistent access to network communications, potentially enabling man-in-the-middle attacks, call interception, or further network reconnaissance. The vulnerability's remote nature means attackers do not require physical access to the devices, making it particularly concerning for organizations with distributed networks.
Organizations affected by CVE-2017-17221 should implement immediate mitigations including firmware updates from Huawei addressing the specific validation gaps in the signal tone import function. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit the attack surface, while monitoring systems should be enhanced to detect anomalous packet patterns. The vulnerability's characteristics align with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers legitimate credentials usage for remote access, and T1059, covering command and scripting interpreters for execution. Security teams should also consider implementing network intrusion detection systems capable of identifying crafted packets that exploit this specific validation bypass mechanism, as the vulnerability operates within standard network protocols that may not be immediately flagged by traditional security controls.