CVE-2006-3290 in Wireless Control System
Summary
by MITRE
HTTP server in Cisco Wireless Control System (WCS) for Linux and Windows before 3.2(51) stores sensitive information under the web root with insufficient access control, which allows remote attackers to obtain usernames and directory paths via a direct URL request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/21/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-3290 affects the Cisco Wireless Control System (WCS) version 3.2(51) and earlier releases for both Linux and Windows platforms. This issue represents a critical security flaw in the web server implementation that governs the system's administrative interface and management capabilities. The vulnerability stems from improper access control mechanisms within the web server configuration, creating a pathway for unauthorized information disclosure that could significantly compromise the security posture of wireless network infrastructure.
The technical flaw manifests through the web server's improper handling of sensitive data storage within the web root directory structure. Specifically, the system stores usernames and directory paths in locations that are accessible via direct URL requests without proper authentication or authorization checks. This configuration violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and proper access control enforcement, allowing remote attackers to enumerate system information simply by accessing specific web resources. The vulnerability falls under the category of information disclosure, where sensitive data that should remain protected becomes publicly accessible through predictable URL patterns.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks. Remote attackers who discover these accessible paths can gather intelligence about the system's internal structure, user accounts, and directory hierarchies, which serves as a foundation for subsequent exploitation attempts. This information can be leveraged to craft targeted attacks against the wireless infrastructure, potentially leading to unauthorized access to network management functions or further compromise of the wireless control system. The vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality and integrity aspects of the CIA triad, as it exposes sensitive system information to unauthorized parties.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with CWE-200, which addresses "Information Exposure," and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1083 for "File and Directory Discovery" and T1566 for "Phishing with Social Engineering." Organizations utilizing Cisco WCS versions prior to 3.2(51) face significant risk of unauthorized information gathering and potential escalation attacks. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical skill and can be accomplished through standard web browser navigation or automated tools, making it particularly dangerous in environments where wireless infrastructure management is critical. This flaw demonstrates the importance of proper web server configuration and access control implementation in security-sensitive applications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of security patches provided by Cisco, specifically upgrading to version 3.2(51) or later releases. Organizations should also conduct thorough security assessments of their web server configurations to ensure sensitive information is not stored in accessible locations within the web root directory. Additional protective measures include implementing proper access controls, restricting directory listing permissions, and configuring web server components to prevent unauthorized access to system information. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect and alert on suspicious access patterns to potentially affected resources, while regular security audits should verify that similar misconfigurations do not exist in other system components.