CVE-2005-0540 in AlterPath Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Cyclades AlterPath Manager (APM) Console Server 1.2.1 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a direct request to the /about.html page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/23/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-0540 affects the Cyclades AlterPath Manager (APM) Console Server version 1.2.1, representing a significant information disclosure weakness that exposes sensitive system details to remote attackers. This issue stems from inadequate access controls within the web interface of the console server, which fails to properly restrict access to internal system information through direct web requests. The specific flaw manifests when attackers can directly access the /about.html page without proper authentication or authorization mechanisms, potentially revealing confidential data about the system configuration, software versions, and other operational details that could aid in subsequent exploitation attempts.
This vulnerability falls under the category of information disclosure weaknesses as classified by CWE-200, where the system inadvertently provides sensitive information to unauthorized users. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires no privileged access or complex exploitation techniques, making it accessible to any remote attacker who can reach the target system. The exposure of system information through the /about.html endpoint represents a classic case of insufficient authorization controls, where the web server fails to implement proper access restrictions for administrative or system information pages. Such information disclosure can serve as a critical first step in reconnaissance activities, enabling attackers to gather intelligence about the target environment and potentially identify additional vulnerabilities or attack vectors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can significantly compromise the security posture of systems relying on the affected console server. Attackers who successfully exploit this weakness can obtain detailed system information including software versions, configuration parameters, and potentially network topology details that would otherwise remain hidden from unauthorized parties. This exposure creates opportunities for more sophisticated attacks, as the gathered information can be used to tailor subsequent exploitation attempts, identify known vulnerabilities in specific software versions, or map the overall system architecture for targeted attacks. The low complexity of exploitation combined with the potentially high value of information obtained makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous in production environments where such console servers may be directly exposed to external networks.
Organizations utilizing Cyclades AlterPath Manager Console Server 1.2.1 should implement immediate mitigations to address this information disclosure vulnerability. The primary recommendation involves implementing proper access controls for all web-accessible pages, particularly those containing system information or administrative details. This includes enforcing authentication mechanisms for the /about.html page and other similar endpoints, ensuring that only authorized personnel can access sensitive system information. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be configured to restrict access to the console server from untrusted networks, while also implementing web application firewalls to monitor and filter potentially malicious requests. Additionally, regular security assessments should be conducted to identify and remediate similar access control weaknesses throughout the system infrastructure. The remediation process should also include comprehensive monitoring of access attempts to sensitive pages and implementation of automated alerting mechanisms to detect unauthorized access attempts. Organizations should also consider upgrading to newer versions of the software where such vulnerabilities have been addressed through proper access control implementations.