CVE-2020-3161:Cisco IP Phones Web Server Vulnerability Allows Remote Code Execution and Denial of Service

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A critical vulnerability (CVE-2020-3161) exists in the web server component of Cisco IP Phones that could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to execute code with root privileges or cause a reload of an affected device, resulting in a denial of service (DoS) condition. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation of HTTP requests sent to the web server. By sending specially crafted HTTP requests to a vulnerable device, attackers can potentially gain complete control of the phone or cause it to crash and reload.

Overview

This vulnerability (CVE-2020-3161) affects the web server functionality in Cisco IP Phones. The root cause is improper validation of HTTP requests processed by the web server component. The vulnerability is classified as CWE-20 (Improper Input Validation), which occurs when software fails to properly validate input before using it.

When exploited, an attacker can:

  1. Execute arbitrary code with root privileges on the affected device
  2. Cause the device to reload, creating a denial of service condition
  3. Potentially gain complete control over the affected IP phone

No authentication is required to exploit this vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous as it can be targeted remotely by anyone who can send HTTP requests to the affected devices.

Remediation

To address this vulnerability, organizations should:

  1. Update affected Cisco IP Phones to the latest firmware version as recommended by Cisco.
  2. Apply the patches provided in Cisco's security advisory (cisco-sa-voip-phones-rce-dos-rB6EeRXs).
  3. If immediate patching is not possible, consider implementing network segmentation to restrict access to the web interfaces of IP phones.
  4. Monitor network traffic to IP phones for suspicious HTTP requests.
  5. Ensure IP phones are not directly accessible from untrusted networks.
  6. Contact Cisco Technical Assistance Center (TAC) for additional support if needed.

References

  1. Cisco Security Advisory: https://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-voip-phones-rce-dos-rB6EeRXs
  2. Exploit Information: http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/157265/Cisco-IP-Phone-11.7-Denial-Of-Service.html
  3. Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE-20): https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/20.html

Industry ExposureMost to least
This section illustrates the prevalence of a specific Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) across various industries based on customer reports. The ranking displays industries from the most to least affected by this particular vulnerability, offering valuable insight into where this CVE has been most frequently observed. This information can help organizations within these sectors prioritize their security efforts, understand their relative risk exposure compared to their peers, and focus remediation strategies where they are most needed. By understanding the industry-specific impact, organizations can make more informed decisions regarding patching, resource allocation, and overall risk management related to this CVE.

  1. Manufacturing
    Manufacturing
  2. Finance and Insurance
    Finance and Insurance
  3. Health Care & Social Assistance
    Health Care & Social Assistance
  4. Transportation & Warehousing
    Transportation & Warehousing
  5. Accommodation & Food Services
    Accommodation & Food Services
  6. Administrative, Support, Waste Management & Remediation Services
    Administrative, Support, Waste Management & Remediation Services
  7. Agriculture, Forestry Fishing & Hunting
    Agriculture, Forestry Fishing & Hunting
  8. Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
    Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
  9. Construction
    Construction
  10. Educational Services
    Educational Services
  11. Information
    Information
  12. Management of Companies & Enterprises
    Management of Companies & Enterprises
  13. Mining
    Mining
  14. Other Services (except Public Administration)
    Other Services (except Public Administration)
  15. Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services
    Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services
  16. Public Administration
    Public Administration
  17. Real Estate Rental & Leasing
    Real Estate Rental & Leasing
  18. Retail Trade
    Retail Trade
  19. Utilities
    Utilities
  20. Wholesale Trade
    Wholesale Trade

Focus on What Matters

  1. See Everything.
  2. Identify True Risk.
  3. Proactively Mitigate Threats.

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