CVE-2018-0316 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A vulnerability in the call-handling feature of Cisco IP Phone 6800, 7800, and 8800 Series Phones with Multiplatform Firmware could allow a remote attacker to trigger a denial of service (DoS) condition.

Understanding CVE-2018-0316

This CVE entry describes a flaw in Cisco IP Phone firmware that could be exploited by attackers to disrupt phone service.

What is CVE-2018-0316?

The vulnerability in Cisco IP Phone 6800, 7800, and 8800 Series Phones with Multiplatform Firmware allows remote attackers to force a phone to reload, causing a temporary DoS situation.

The Impact of CVE-2018-0316

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability without authentication, potentially disrupting phone service.
By manipulating SIP packets, attackers can trigger an unexpected reload of the affected phone, leading to a temporary DoS.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-0316

This section provides more in-depth technical information about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw lies in the call-handling feature of Cisco IP Phone firmware.
Attackers can exploit errors in handling unanswered incoming calls to force a phone reload.

Affected Systems and Versions

Cisco IP Phone 6800, 7800, and 8800 Series Phones with Multiplatform Firmware are affected.
Phones running a Multiplatform Firmware release older than version 11.1(2) are vulnerable.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit the vulnerability by sending maliciously crafted SIP packets to the targeted phone.

Mitigation and Prevention

Steps to address and prevent exploitation of CVE-2018-0316.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update affected phones to Multiplatform Firmware release 11.1(2) or newer.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious SIP packet activity.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update firmware and software on all network devices.
Implement network segmentation to limit the impact of potential attacks.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches and updates provided by Cisco to address the vulnerability.