Cisco IOS Software contains a vulnerability that could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to cause a denial of service condition. Updates are available.
Description
Cisco IOS Software contains a vulnerability that could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to cause a denial of service (DoS) condition.
The vulnerability is in the affected device when it handles crafted Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) packets. An unauthenticated, remote attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending crafted SIP packets to the affected system. When the affected device tries to process these packets, an unspecified error could occur that could cause the device to reload, resulting in a DoS condition.
Cisco has confirmed this vulnerability and released updated software.
Warning Indicators
Cisco has published a list of affected Cisco IOS Software releases in the security advisory. The Vendor Announcements section of this alert contains a link to the advisory.
IntelliShield Analysis
Only devices with SIP voice services enabled are vulnerable. Further, to be vulnerable, the devices must have enabled the Cisco Unified Border Element feature. More detailed information about determining whether a device is affected by this vulnerability is in the vendor advisory.
Because this vulnerability can be exploited using UDP, it is possible for an attacker to spoof the source address of the malicious SIP packets. This spoofing could make it harder to determine where the attacks are coming from, and it could also be used to bypass IP-based ACLs if the attacker can determine which IP addresses are allowed to access the affected systems.
Cisco indicates through the CVSS score that functional exploit code exists; however, the code is not known to be publicly available.
An unauthenticated, remote attacker could exploit this vulnerability to cause a DoS condition on the affected device. Repeated attacks could result in a persistent DoS condition.
Technical Information
The vulnerability is in the SIP processing component of the affected systems when it handles crafted SIP messages. An unauthenticated, remote attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a series of crafted SIP messages to the affected system on TCP or UDP port 5060 or TCP port 5061. When the system tries to process these packets, it may reload, resulting in a DoS condition.
Safeguards
Administrators are advised to apply the appropriate updates.
Administrators are advised to implement anti-spoofing techniques at the network edge.
Administrators may consider using IP-based access control lists (ACLs) to allow only trusted systems to access the affected systems on the affected ports.
The Cisco Applied Intelligence team has created the following companion document to guide administrators in identifying and mitigating attempts to exploit this vulnerability prior to applying updated software: cisco-amb-20090923-voice
Patches/Software
Cisco customers with active contracts can obtain updates through the Software Center at the following link: Cisco. Cisco customers without contracts can obtain upgrades by contacting the Cisco Technical Assistance Center at 1-800-553-2447 or 1-408-526-7209 or via e-mail at tac@cisco.com.
Signatures
Cisco Systems Cisco Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) 6.0
The security vulnerability applies to the following combinations of products.
Primary Products:
Cisco
IOS
12.2XNA Base | 12.2XNB Base | 12.2XNC Base | 12.3YK Base | 12.3YS Base | 12.3YT Base | 12.4MR Base | 12.4T Base | 12.4XA Base | 12.4XB Base | 12.4XC Base | 12.4XD Base | 12.4XE Base | 12.4XJ Base | 12.4XL Base | 12.4XM Base | 12.4XP Base | 12.4XT Base | 12.4XV Base | 12.4XW Base | 12.4XY Base | 12.4XZ Base | 12.4YA Base | 12.4YB Base
Associated Products:
N/A
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