CVE-2019-15249 in SPA100 ATA
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple vulnerabilities in Cisco SPA100 Series Analog Telephone Adapters (ATAs) could allow an authenticated, adjacent attacker to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The vulnerabilities are due to improper validation of user-supplied input to the web-based management interface. An attacker could exploit these vulnerabilities by authenticating to the web-based management interface and sending crafted requests to an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. Note: The web-based management interface is enabled by default.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/16/2024
The Cisco SPA100 Series Analog Telephone Adapters represent a critical class of network infrastructure devices that serve as bridges between traditional analog telephone systems and modern VoIP networks. These devices operate as essential components in enterprise communications environments, handling voice traffic and providing connectivity between analog phones and IP-based networks. The vulnerabilities present in these ATAs create a significant security risk due to their fundamental role in network communications infrastructure and their default enablement of web-based management interfaces. The attack surface becomes particularly concerning when considering that these devices are often deployed in environments where physical access may be limited but network access could be compromised.
The technical flaw within CVE-2019-15249 stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the web-based management interface of these devices. This vulnerability manifests as improper sanitization of user-supplied data, allowing an attacker to manipulate input parameters that should be strictly controlled. The lack of proper validation creates a path for code injection attacks where malicious payloads can be executed within the device's operational context. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which specifically addresses "Improper Input Validation" in software systems. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it requires only adjacent network access and valid authentication credentials, making it exploitable in scenarios where an attacker has gained initial access to the local network segment.
The operational impact of these vulnerabilities extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass complete device compromise and potential network infiltration. When an attacker successfully exploits these vulnerabilities, they gain the ability to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, effectively allowing them to take full control of the device. This compromise can result in unauthorized voice interception, modification of call routing, denial of service attacks against communication services, and potential use as a pivot point for further attacks within the network. The default enablement of the web-based management interface means that organizations may be unknowingly exposing these vulnerabilities without proper configuration awareness. According to ATT&CK framework, this represents a privilege escalation technique that can be leveraged for lateral movement and persistence within network environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-15249 should focus on both immediate defensive measures and long-term architectural improvements. Organizations must first ensure that the web-based management interfaces are properly secured through network segmentation and access control measures. This includes implementing strict firewall rules that limit access to management interfaces to authorized administrative networks only. The most effective immediate solution involves applying Cisco's security patches and firmware updates that address the input validation flaws. Additionally, network administrators should disable the web-based management interface when not actively required for configuration purposes, and implement strong authentication mechanisms including multi-factor authentication. Regular security assessments of network infrastructure devices should include vulnerability scanning for similar input validation issues that could present analogous attack vectors. The remediation process must also involve comprehensive network monitoring to detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly focusing on unusual network traffic patterns or unauthorized configuration changes that could signal successful compromise of these critical communication devices.