CVE-2007-2032 in Wireless Control System
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco Wireless Control System (WCS) before 4.0.96.0 has a hard-coded FTP username and password for backup operations, which allows remote attackers to read and modify arbitrary files via unspecified vectors related to "properties of the FTP server," aka Bug ID CSCse93014.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/19/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-2032 affects Cisco Wireless Control System versions prior to 4.0.96.0, presenting a critical security flaw that stems from the improper implementation of backup operations within the wireless network management infrastructure. This hard-coded authentication credential represents a fundamental design weakness that directly compromises the integrity and confidentiality of wireless network configurations and data. The vulnerability specifically manifests through the use of default credentials that are embedded within the software code, creating a persistent security risk that persists across system deployments and updates. The issue is particularly concerning because it affects the backup mechanisms that organizations rely upon to maintain network configurations and recover from failures, thereby undermining the very foundation of network management security.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a hardcoded FTP username and password that are embedded within the Cisco WCS software at compile time, rather than being dynamically generated or configured by administrators. This design approach violates fundamental security principles and creates a scenario where any attacker who can access the system can leverage these predetermined credentials to establish FTP connections and perform unauthorized operations. The unspecified vectors related to "properties of the FTP server" indicate that the vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure to encompass broader FTP server configuration issues that allow for arbitrary file read and write operations. This flaw enables attackers to manipulate network configuration data, potentially leading to complete network compromise through unauthorized changes to wireless controller settings and access point configurations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with the capability to modify arbitrary files within the wireless network management system. This represents a severe privilege escalation scenario where attackers can alter critical network parameters, disable security features, or introduce malicious configurations that persist across network operations. The implications are particularly grave for enterprise wireless networks where the WCS serves as the central management point for multiple access points and wireless controllers, potentially allowing attackers to gain control over large portions of an organization's wireless infrastructure. The vulnerability also enables data exfiltration through the backup mechanisms, allowing attackers to extract sensitive configuration information that could be used for further attacks against the broader network infrastructure.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to Cisco WCS version 4.0.96.0 or later, which addresses the hardcoded credentials issue through proper authentication mechanisms. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of the WCS system to unauthorized network segments, while monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual FTP activity or backup operations. The implementation of secure backup procedures that utilize dynamic authentication rather than hardcoded credentials represents a fundamental improvement to the system's security posture. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-798, which addresses the use of hard-coded credentials in software, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for credential access, demonstrating the multi-faceted nature of the threat. System administrators should also conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify any other hardcoded credentials within their network infrastructure, as this represents a broader class of vulnerabilities that can compromise system integrity across multiple network management platforms.