CVE-2010-0976 in Acidcat
Summary
by MITRE
Acidcat CMS 3.5.x does not prevent access to install.asp after installation finishes, which might allow remote attackers to restart the installation process and have unspecified other impact via requests to install.asp and other install_*.asp scripts. NOTE: the final installation screen states "Important: you must now delete all files beginning with 'install' from the root directory."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/02/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-0976 affects Acidcat CMS version 3.5.x and represents a critical security flaw in the application's installation process management. This issue stems from the application's failure to properly secure installation scripts after the completion of the installation procedure, creating a persistent security risk that can be exploited by remote attackers. The vulnerability specifically targets the install.asp file and related install_*.asp scripts, which remain accessible even after the installation has been successfully completed. This design flaw directly violates fundamental security principles that require sensitive administrative operations to be secured and inaccessible once their purpose has been fulfilled, creating an attack surface that could be leveraged for unauthorized system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs because the CMS does not enforce proper access controls or script cleanup mechanisms following installation completion. When an attacker gains access to the install.asp script, they can potentially restart the installation process, which may lead to various security consequences including unauthorized modifications to the application's configuration, potential data corruption, or even complete system compromise. The vulnerability demonstrates a clear failure in the application's privilege management and resource access control mechanisms, as the installation scripts remain executable and accessible without proper authentication or authorization checks. This issue is particularly concerning because it allows attackers to manipulate the application's core configuration during the installation phase, which could result in persistent backdoors or other malicious modifications that might not be immediately apparent.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-0976 extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it can enable attackers to manipulate the application's installation state and potentially gain elevated privileges within the system. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to restart installations, which may allow them to modify database configurations, alter user permissions, or introduce malicious code into the application environment. The unspecified other impacts mentioned in the vulnerability description suggest that the consequences could be particularly severe and unpredictable, potentially including complete system compromise or data loss. This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege that should govern all system access controls. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1210, which involves exploiting weaknesses in software to gain unauthorized access and potentially escalate privileges within the target environment.
The recommended mitigations for this vulnerability include immediate implementation of access controls to prevent unauthorized access to installation scripts, proper cleanup of installation files after successful installation completion, and enforcement of authentication mechanisms for all administrative operations. Organizations should ensure that all install_*.asp files are deleted or secured after installation, as explicitly stated in the final installation screen's warning message. System administrators should also implement proper file permission controls and monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts to sensitive installation files. Additionally, the application should be updated to a version that properly handles installation script access control, as this vulnerability represents a fundamental flaw in the application's security architecture that cannot be adequately mitigated through workarounds. The vulnerability highlights the importance of implementing proper security controls during all phases of application development and deployment, particularly concerning administrative operations and file access management.