CVE-2010-0146 in Security Agent
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in the Management Center for Cisco Security Agents 6.0 allows remote authenticated users to read arbitrary files via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/01/2026
The CVE-2010-0146 vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal flaw within Cisco Security Agents Management Center version 6.0, which poses significant security risks to organizations relying on Cisco's security infrastructure. This vulnerability specifically affects the management interface of the Cisco Security Agents system, creating an avenue for remote authenticated attackers to access sensitive files that should remain protected. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the management center's file handling processes, allowing malicious actors to manipulate file access requests through specially crafted input sequences. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple information disclosure as it provides attackers with the ability to access system files, configuration data, and potentially sensitive operational information that could be leveraged for further exploitation.
The technical implementation of this directory traversal vulnerability occurs when the Management Center processes file access requests without properly sanitizing user inputs that specify file paths. Attackers can exploit this weakness by constructing malicious file paths that include directory traversal sequences such as "../" or similar constructs that allow them to navigate outside the intended directory boundaries. This flaw operates at the application layer and requires authentication to exploit, meaning that only users with valid credentials can attempt to leverage this vulnerability. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal. The attack vector involves authenticated remote access through the management interface, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited from outside the organization's network perimeter, assuming the attacker has valid credentials.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial for organizations utilizing Cisco Security Agents Management Center 6.0, as it provides unauthorized access to critical system information that could compromise overall security posture. Successful exploitation could lead to the disclosure of sensitive configuration files, system logs, and potentially credentials stored within the management center's file system. This information disclosure could enable attackers to gain deeper insights into the network infrastructure, identify potential additional vulnerabilities, and develop more sophisticated attack strategies. The vulnerability also represents a significant risk to compliance requirements, as it could result in unauthorized access to data that organizations are required to protect under various regulatory frameworks. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability serves as a stepping stone for further compromise, potentially allowing access to other systems within the network that share similar authentication mechanisms or configuration parameters.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including applying Cisco's security patches and updates to the Management Center software, which would address the underlying directory traversal flaw. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit access to the management center to only authorized personnel, while implementing additional authentication mechanisms such as multi-factor authentication to reduce the risk of credential compromise. Regular security audits should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities within the organization's infrastructure, particularly focusing on applications that handle file access operations. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure coding practices and input validation, emphasizing the need for organizations to follow security standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST guidelines for secure software development. Additionally, monitoring and logging mechanisms should be enhanced to detect suspicious file access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts, providing organizations with early warning capabilities to respond to potential security incidents.