CVE-2018-15128 in Group Series
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in Polycom Group Series 6.1.6.1 and earlier, HDX 3.1.12 and earlier, and Pano 1.1.1 and earlier. A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the content sharing functionality because of a Buffer Overflow via crafted packets.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/15/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-15128 represents a critical remote code execution flaw affecting Polycom Group Series devices running firmware versions 6.1.6.1 and earlier, HDX 3.1.12 and earlier, and Pano 1.1.1 and earlier. This vulnerability resides within the content sharing functionality of these communication devices, which are widely deployed in enterprise environments for video conferencing and collaboration purposes. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and memory management within the device's network processing stack, specifically when handling crafted packets designed to exploit buffer overflow conditions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a classic buffer overflow attack vector where maliciously constructed network packets can overwrite adjacent memory locations in the device's processing memory space. This occurs when the device receives content sharing packets that exceed the allocated buffer size without proper bounds checking. The buffer overflow allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code on the affected device, potentially gaining full system control. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the vulnerability is accessible remotely, requiring no physical access or authentication credentials to exploit.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple device compromise, as it can lead to complete network infiltration and persistent backdoor access within enterprise environments. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access points, monitor communications, and potentially escalate privileges to gain administrative control over the entire communication infrastructure. The affected Polycom devices are commonly deployed in mission-critical environments where they serve as primary communication channels for business operations, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability aligns with T1059.007 for command and script interpreter and T1078.004 for valid accounts, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to maintain long-term access through compromised device credentials or by creating new administrative accounts.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate firmware updates from Polycom, as the vendor has released patches addressing the buffer overflow conditions in newer firmware versions. Organizations should implement network segmentation to isolate affected devices from critical systems and establish monitoring protocols to detect unusual network traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Network intrusion detection systems should be configured to identify and block malformed packets targeting the specific content sharing ports and protocols. Additionally, security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all affected devices within their network infrastructure and establish incident response procedures for potential exploitation. The vulnerability highlights the importance of regular firmware updates and proper network security monitoring, particularly for IoT and communication devices that lack robust built-in security controls.