CVE-2006-5660 in Security Agent
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco Security Agent Management Center (CSAMC) 5.1 before 5.1.0.79 does not properly handle certain LDAP error messages, which allows remote attackers to bypass authentication requirements via an empty password when using an external LDAP server.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/26/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-5660 affects the Cisco Security Agent Management Center version 5.1 before 5.1.0.79, representing a critical authentication bypass flaw within the enterprise security infrastructure. This issue specifically manifests when the CSAMC system interfaces with external Lightweight Directory Access Protocol servers for user authentication purposes. The vulnerability stems from improper error handling mechanisms within the LDAP communication framework, creating a pathway for unauthorized access that directly undermines the security controls designed to protect enterprise networks.
The technical flaw resides in the application's inability to correctly process and interpret specific LDAP error responses generated during authentication attempts. When an external LDAP server is employed, the CSAMC system receives error messages that contain information about authentication failures or invalid credentials. However, due to inadequate validation and processing of these error codes, the system fails to properly recognize when authentication has failed due to empty passwords or other invalid credential scenarios. This misconfiguration allows attackers to exploit a logic flaw where the system accepts empty password attempts as valid authentication, effectively bypassing the intended security controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, creating significant risks for enterprise security environments that rely on centralized authentication mechanisms. Attackers can leverage this flaw to gain administrative access to the CSAMC interface without proper credentials, potentially leading to complete compromise of the security management infrastructure. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations using external LDAP servers for user authentication, making it a critical concern for enterprises that depend on centralized identity management systems. The flaw essentially undermines the principle of least privilege by allowing unauthorized users to escalate their privileges through a simple authentication bypass technique.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-287, which addresses improper handling of authentication credentials, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 for Valid Accounts and T1110.003 for Credential Stuffing. Organizations implementing Cisco Security Agent Management Center solutions must recognize this vulnerability as a potential entry point for attackers seeking to establish persistent access to their security infrastructure. The flaw represents a classic case of insufficient input validation and error handling, where the system's response to authentication failures creates an exploitable condition rather than properly rejecting invalid credentials.
The recommended mitigations for this vulnerability include immediate deployment of Cisco's official security patches and updates, specifically targeting version 5.1.0.79 or later. Organizations should also implement additional network segmentation controls to limit access to the CSAMC management interface, ensuring that only authorized administrative personnel can reach the system. Configuration reviews should verify that LDAP authentication is properly configured with appropriate error handling mechanisms and that the system does not accept empty passwords or null credentials. Additionally, implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect unusual authentication patterns and login attempts from unauthorized sources provides an additional layer of defense against exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any similar authentication bypass vulnerabilities within the enterprise security infrastructure.