CVE-2018-16216 in 405HD
Summary
by MITRE
A command injection (missing input validation, escaping) in the monitoring or memory status web interface in AudioCodes 405HD (firmware 2.2.12) VoIP phone allows an authenticated remote attacker in the same network as the device to trigger OS commands (like starting telnetd or opening a reverse shell) via a POST request to the web server. In combination with another attack (unauthenticated password change), the attacker can circumvent the authentication requirement.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/07/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2018-16216 represents a critical command injection flaw in the AudioCodes 405HD VoIP phone firmware version 2.2.12, specifically affecting the monitoring and memory status web interface. This issue stems from inadequate input validation and escaping mechanisms within the device's web server implementation, creating a pathway for malicious command execution. The flaw exists in the web interface's handling of POST requests, where user-supplied data is not properly sanitized before being processed by the underlying operating system. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows authenticated remote attackers within the same network segment to execute arbitrary operating system commands, effectively compromising the device's integrity and security posture.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves sending specially crafted POST requests to the web interface, which then processes the malicious input without proper validation. Attackers can leverage this to execute commands such as starting telnetd services or opening reverse shells, effectively gaining unauthorized access to the device's operating system. This command injection vulnerability maps directly to CWE-77, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter. The attack vector requires network-level access and authentication, though the vulnerability can be chained with other attacks to bypass authentication entirely.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with persistent control over the VoIP phone device. Once compromised, the attacker can establish backdoors, monitor network traffic, or use the device as a pivot point to attack other systems within the same network segment. This represents a significant risk in enterprise environments where VoIP phones serve as critical communication infrastructure and may have access to sensitive network resources. The vulnerability also demonstrates poor security practices in embedded device development, particularly regarding input sanitization and privilege separation in web interfaces.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-16216 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from AudioCodes, as the vendor likely released patches addressing the command injection flaw. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit network-level access to VoIP devices, while monitoring systems should be deployed to detect unusual command execution patterns. Additionally, organizations should implement network access control lists to restrict communication between VoIP devices and other network segments, and conduct regular security assessments of embedded devices. The vulnerability highlights the importance of input validation and output escaping as fundamental security practices, aligning with security frameworks such as the OWASP Top Ten and NIST guidelines for secure coding practices. Regular vulnerability scanning and penetration testing of VoIP infrastructure should be conducted to identify similar issues in other networked devices that may be susceptible to command injection attacks.