Nortel IP Phone Flooding Denial of Service
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# COMPASS SECURITY ADVISORY http://www.csnc.ch/
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# Product: IP Phone
# Vendor: Nortel
# Subject: IP Phone Flooding Denial of Service
# Risk: High
# Effect: Currently exploitable
# Author: Daniel Stirnimann (daniel.stirnimann (at) csnc (dot) ch)
# Date: October, 18th 2007
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Introduction:
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A malicious user who can send spoofed packets to an IP phone is able to freeze
it. A potential victim does not recognize that his IP phone is offline until he
tries to use it. Signs which make it obvious for the victim that his IP phone
is not working are that he does not here a line peep sound when trying to make
a call or that the LCD display is not updated.
The attack uses valid UNIStim "Mute / UnMute" messages which are sent to the IP
phone with a spoofed server source address.
Nortel has noted this as:
Title: Potential DoS Vulnerability - IP Phone Freeze to Offline State
Number: 2007008386
http://support.nortel.com/go/main.jsp?cscat=SECUREADVISORY
Vulnerable:
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Nortel IP Phone 1140E
IP Softphone 2050
and others.
See associated products on the Nortel advisory.
Vulnerability Management:
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June 2007: Vulnerability found
June 2007: Nortel Security notified
October 2007: Nortel Advisory available
October 2007: Compass Security Information
Remediation:
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Follow the recommended actions for the affected systems, as identified in the
Nortel Advisory.
Technical Description:
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Flooding an IP phone with valid UNIStim messages freezes the IP phone. The IP
phone needs to be rebooted by pulling the power cord in order to work again.
The proof-of-concept code uses "Mute / UnMute" UNIStim messages. The ID number
is increased sequentially from 1 to 65535. After the packets have been sent,
the phone is frozen and cannot be used. The phone does not ring if it's number
is called and the LCD display is not updated.
Reference:
http://www.csnc.ch/static/advisory/secadvisorylist.html