CVE-2023-20126 in SPA112
Summary
by MITRE • 05/04/2023
A vulnerability in the web-based management interface of Cisco SPA112 2-Port Phone Adapters could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on an affected device. This vulnerability is due to a missing authentication process within the firmware upgrade function. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by upgrading an affected device to a crafted version of firmware. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code on the affected device with full privileges. Cisco has not released firmware updates to address this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/27/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-20126 affects Cisco SPA112 2-Port Phone Adapters, which are VoIP telephony devices commonly deployed in enterprise and small office environments. These devices serve as critical communication endpoints that handle voice traffic and require secure management interfaces to prevent unauthorized access. The affected web-based management interface represents a fundamental security flaw that undermines the device's integrity and operational security. This vulnerability is particularly concerning as it affects devices that are often deployed in unattended locations where physical security measures may be minimal, creating additional attack surface exposure.
The technical flaw resides within the firmware upgrade functionality of the device's web interface where authentication mechanisms are completely absent. This missing authentication process constitutes a critical design oversight that allows any remote attacker to perform firmware updates without proper authorization. The vulnerability specifically targets the firmware upgrade function, which typically requires authentication to prevent unauthorized modifications. When an attacker crafts a malicious firmware image and initiates the upgrade process, the device accepts the update without verifying the attacker's credentials or authorization. This missing authentication control creates a privilege escalation path that results in complete system compromise, as the attacker gains full administrative privileges on the affected device.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, potentially enabling attackers to execute arbitrary code with root-level privileges on the affected device. Once compromised, the attacker can manipulate the device to perform various malicious activities including eavesdropping on voice communications, redirecting calls to malicious endpoints, or using the device as a pivot point to launch further attacks within the network. The lack of firmware updates from Cisco to address this vulnerability means that affected devices remain permanently exposed, creating a persistent threat vector that can be exploited by any attacker with network access. This vulnerability also demonstrates the broader risk of legacy device management interfaces that may not have been designed with modern security requirements in mind.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate network segmentation to isolate these devices from critical network segments and limit their exposure to external threats. Network administrators should consider implementing firewall rules that restrict access to the device's web management interface to trusted IP addresses only, although this mitigation is less effective given the remote nature of the attack. The absence of official firmware updates from Cisco necessitates additional security measures such as monitoring network traffic for suspicious firmware upgrade activities and implementing intrusion detection systems to detect potential exploitation attempts. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive inventories of all deployed SPA112 devices to assess their exposure and prioritize remediation efforts. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability may violate industry standards such as those outlined in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and could potentially impact organizations subject to regulations requiring secure device management practices. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication issues, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1219, which covers legitimate credentials for remote access tools, as attackers can leverage this flaw to gain persistent access to network infrastructure.