CVE-2007-2035 in Wireless Control System
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco Wireless Control System (WCS) before 4.0.66.0 stores sensitive information under the web root with insufficient access control, which allows remote attackers to obtain network organization data via a direct request for files in certain directories, aka Bug ID CSCsg04301.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/17/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-2035 affects Cisco Wireless Control System versions prior to 4.0.66.0, representing a critical security flaw in wireless network management infrastructure. This issue stems from improper access control mechanisms within the web application interface of the WCS platform, which is designed to manage and monitor wireless networks across enterprise environments. The vulnerability specifically relates to the storage of sensitive organizational data in directories that are publicly accessible through direct web requests, creating an avenue for unauthorized data extraction by remote threat actors.
The technical flaw manifests as insufficient access control measures that fail to properly authenticate and authorize requests for sensitive files stored within the web root directory structure. This misconfiguration allows attackers to bypass normal authentication mechanisms by directly requesting specific files or directories through HTTP requests, effectively enabling information disclosure without requiring valid credentials or privileged access. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects network organization data, which typically includes configuration details, network topology information, device specifications, and other sensitive operational data that could be leveraged for further attacks or network reconnaissance.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability compromises the confidentiality of network organization data and creates significant risk for enterprises relying on Cisco WCS for wireless network management. Attackers who exploit this vulnerability can gain unauthorized access to critical network information that would normally be restricted to authorized administrators, potentially enabling them to map network topologies, identify vulnerable devices, and plan more sophisticated attacks against the wireless infrastructure. The impact extends beyond simple data exposure as this information can be used to facilitate lateral movement within the network or to conduct targeted attacks against specific wireless access points or network segments.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses improper exposure of sensitive information, and represents a classic example of inadequate access control implementation in web applications. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques such as T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing for Information) where threat actors can leverage the exposed data to further their objectives. The issue also relates to T1583 (Acquire Infrastructure) as attackers can use the gathered information to better understand the target environment and plan more effective attacks. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided security patch to version 4.0.66.0 or later, reviewing and restricting web root directory access controls, implementing proper authentication mechanisms for sensitive data, and conducting thorough network audits to identify any other potential misconfigurations that could expose similar vulnerabilities. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect unauthorized access attempts to sensitive directories.