CVE-2018-18871 in Maxwell Basic VoIP
Summary
by MITRE
Missing password verification in the web interface on Gigaset Maxwell Basic VoIP phones with firmware 2.22.7 would allow a remote attacker (in the same network as the device) to change the admin password without authentication (and without knowing the original password).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/23/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-18871 represents a critical authentication flaw in Gigaset Maxwell Basic VoIP phones running firmware version 2.22.7. This issue resides within the web interface of these telecommunications devices, which are commonly deployed in enterprise and business environments for voice communications. The flaw constitutes a significant security weakness that undermines the fundamental principle of access control by allowing unauthorized modification of administrative credentials.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from a missing password verification mechanism within the web-based management interface of the VoIP phone. When an attacker attempts to change the administrator password through the web interface, the system fails to validate whether the user possesses the correct current password before permitting the change operation. This omission creates a direct path for privilege escalation where any network-accessible attacker can modify administrative credentials without possessing the original password. The vulnerability specifically affects devices operating on firmware version 2.22.7, suggesting that this was either an introduced flaw in that particular release or a regression from previous versions.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses substantial risk to organizations utilizing these devices, as it enables attackers within the same network segment to gain full administrative control over the VoIP phone configuration. The attack requires only network access and knowledge of the device's IP address, making it particularly dangerous in environments where network segmentation is insufficient or where attackers have already achieved initial access through other means. Once an attacker gains administrative privileges, they can modify phone settings, redirect calls, access call logs, and potentially use the device as a pivot point for further attacks within the network infrastructure.
The security implications extend beyond simple credential compromise, as VoIP phones often serve as critical communication infrastructure within enterprise networks. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-305 authentication flaw patterns and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for social engineering, as it enables unauthorized access through legitimate administrative interfaces. The attack vector specifically maps to network-based exploitation where the attacker must be in the same broadcast domain as the target device, making it particularly concerning for environments lacking proper network segmentation and access controls.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including firmware updates from Gigaset to address the specific vulnerability in firmware version 2.22.7. Network segmentation practices should be enhanced to isolate VoIP devices from general network traffic, and access controls should be implemented to restrict web interface access to authorized personnel only. Additionally, monitoring for unauthorized configuration changes and implementing network access control lists can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper authentication mechanisms in networked devices and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of firmware components before deployment in production environments.