CVE-2010-0596 in Mediator Framework
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Cisco Mediator Framework 2.2 before 2.2.1.dev.1 and 3.0 before 3.0.9.release.1 on the Cisco Network Building Mediator NBM-2400 and NBM-4800 and the Richards-Zeta Mediator 2500 allows remote authenticated users to read or modify the device configuration, and gain privileges, via a (1) HTTP or (2) HTTPS request, aka Bug ID CSCtb83607.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/29/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-0596 represents a critical security flaw within the Cisco Mediator Framework affecting specific network infrastructure devices. This issue impacts the Cisco Network Building Mediator NBM-2400 and NBM-4800 platforms, as well as the Richards-Zeta Mediator 2500 devices. The vulnerability resides in the framework's handling of authentication and authorization mechanisms, creating a significant attack surface that can be exploited by authenticated remote adversaries. The flaw specifically affects versions prior to 2.2.1.dev.1 for the 2.2 release line and 3.0.9.release.1 for the 3.0 release line, indicating this was a targeted issue within the software's evolution cycle.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper access control mechanisms within the HTTP and HTTPS request processing components of the Mediator Framework. Attackers with valid credentials can leverage this flaw to execute unauthorized actions including reading sensitive device configuration data, modifying system parameters, and potentially escalating their privileges to gain administrative access. The vulnerability's classification as unspecified suggests that the underlying root cause involves multiple potential weaknesses in the framework's security model, likely encompassing issues such as insufficient input validation, improper privilege checking, or flawed session management. This aligns with common CWE categories including CWE-284 for improper access control and CWE-250 for execution of unintended commands.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or modification, as it provides attackers with potential privilege escalation capabilities that could lead to complete system compromise. Remote authenticated users who can establish a valid session with the device can exploit this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to sensitive network configuration information, potentially exposing network topology, security policies, and other critical infrastructure details. The ability to modify device configuration creates opportunities for attackers to disrupt network services, establish backdoors, or redirect traffic to malicious endpoints. This vulnerability directly impacts the CIA triad by compromising confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected network infrastructure.
Organizations utilizing affected Cisco Mediator Framework versions should immediately implement mitigation strategies focusing on software updates and network segmentation. The primary remediation involves upgrading to the patched versions 2.2.1.dev.1 for the 2.2 release line and 3.0.9.release.1 for the 3.0 release line, which address the underlying access control flaws. Network administrators should also implement strict access controls, including limiting the number of authenticated users with administrative privileges and implementing robust monitoring for unusual configuration changes. The vulnerability's characteristics align with ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and defense evasion, making it particularly concerning for security operations centers that must detect and respond to such sophisticated attacks. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network access control measures and periodic configuration audits to detect potential exploitation attempts and maintain overall security posture against similar vulnerabilities.