CVE-2018-16219 in 405HD
Summary
by MITRE
A missing password verification in the web interface in AudioCodes 405HD VoIP phone with firmware 2.2.12 allows an remote attacker (in the same network as the device) to change the admin password without authentication via a POST request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/07/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-16219 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw in the AudioCodes 405HD VoIP phone running firmware version 2.2.12. This issue stems from a fundamental design weakness in the device's web interface implementation where the system fails to properly verify administrative credentials before allowing password modification operations. The flaw exists within the authentication mechanism that governs administrative functions, creating a pathway for unauthorized actors to gain administrative control without proper authorization. This vulnerability specifically affects devices within the same network segment as the targeted VoIP phone, making it particularly concerning for organizations with insufficient network segmentation controls.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a straightforward yet dangerous method involving a crafted POST request to the device's web interface. Attackers can leverage this weakness to submit administrative password change requests without providing valid authentication credentials, effectively bypassing the intended security controls. The missing password verification component represents a clear violation of standard security practices and demonstrates a failure to implement proper input validation and authentication checks. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-287 category of improper authentication, which specifically addresses situations where systems fail to properly authenticate users before granting access to privileged functions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple administrative access compromise, as it fundamentally undermines the security posture of the affected network infrastructure. An attacker with access to the same network segment can escalate privileges and gain full administrative control over the VoIP phone, potentially enabling them to modify network configurations, intercept communications, or establish persistent access points. This vulnerability creates a significant attack surface that could be leveraged as a stepping stone for broader network infiltration, particularly in environments where VoIP devices serve as critical communication infrastructure. The remote nature of the attack, combined with the requirement for only local network access, makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it requires minimal privileges to exploit and can be executed by any device on the same network segment.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including firmware updates from AudioCodes to address the identified authentication bypass vulnerability, network segmentation to isolate VoIP devices from general network traffic, and monitoring of administrative access attempts. The implementation of network access controls such as firewalls and access control lists can help prevent unauthorized access to VoIP devices from untrusted network segments. Additionally, regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar authentication bypass vulnerabilities in other networked devices. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and privilege escalation, demonstrating how authentication bypasses can be leveraged to gain unauthorized access to network resources. The security community should consider this vulnerability as a prime example of how insufficient input validation and authentication controls can create dangerous security holes in network infrastructure devices.