CVE-2018-0341 in IP Phone
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the web-based UI of Cisco IP Phone 6800, 7800, and 8800 Series with Multiplatform Firmware before 11.2(1) could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to perform a command injection and execute commands with the privileges of the web server. The vulnerability is due to insufficient input validation. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by including arbitrary shell commands in a specific user input field. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCvi51426.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/06/2023
The vulnerability described in CVE-2018-0341 represents a critical command injection flaw within the web-based user interface of Cisco IP Phone 6800, 7800, and 8800 Series devices running Multiplatform Firmware versions prior to 11.2(1). This issue falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-77, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in a command inside a composable command context. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before processing it within the web server environment. The affected devices operate with web-based management interfaces that accept user input through various fields, creating potential attack vectors for malicious actors who can manipulate these inputs to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying system.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires an authenticated attacker who can access the web-based user interface of the affected Cisco IP phones. Once authenticated, the attacker can inject malicious shell commands into specific input fields, effectively bypassing the normal security boundaries of the device. This command injection allows the attacker to execute code with the privileges of the web server process, which typically operates with elevated permissions necessary for device management functions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it enables remote code execution without requiring physical access to the device, making it a significant threat vector for network administrators who rely on these devices for voice communication infrastructure. The Cisco Bug ID CSCvi51426 documents this specific flaw and highlights the insufficient validation of user inputs that enables this type of attack.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-0341 extends beyond simple unauthorized command execution, as it provides attackers with potential access to sensitive device configurations, network information, and communication data. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to modify device settings, intercept voice communications, or establish persistent access points within the network infrastructure. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries can exploit this vulnerability from outside the local network perimeter, potentially leading to complete compromise of the affected telephony systems. This vulnerability directly aligns with tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059.001 technique for Command and Scripting Interpreter, where adversaries use legitimate interface tools to execute commands. The privilege escalation aspect of this vulnerability also relates to T1068, which involves exploiting legitimate credentials to gain higher privileges.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest firmware updates from Cisco to address the vulnerability in the Multiplatform Firmware versions prior to 11.2(1). Network segmentation strategies should be employed to isolate affected IP phone systems from critical network segments, reducing the potential blast radius of successful exploitation attempts. Access controls should be strengthened through mandatory authentication requirements and limited administrative privileges for web interface access. The implementation of network monitoring solutions capable of detecting unusual command execution patterns and shell activity can provide early warning indicators of exploitation attempts. Security teams should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all affected devices within their network infrastructure and establish incident response procedures specifically addressing this type of remote code execution vulnerability. Regular security audits of web-based management interfaces should be performed to identify similar input validation weaknesses that could present additional attack vectors for command injection attacks.