CVE-2010-1972 in Client Automation Enterprise Infrastructure
Summary
by MITRE
The default configuration of HP Client Automation (HPCA) Enterprise Infrastructure (aka Radia) allows remote attackers to read log files, and consequently cause a denial of service or have unspecified other impact, via web requests.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/07/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-1972 affects HP Client Automation Enterprise Infrastructure, also known as Radia, which is a comprehensive client management solution designed for enterprise environments. This system serves as a centralized platform for managing distributed computing environments, handling tasks such as software deployment, patch management, and system monitoring across large networks. The flaw resides in the default configuration of the web interface component, which fails to properly restrict access to sensitive system files including log files that contain critical operational information and potentially sensitive data about system activities.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate access controls within the web application layer of the HPCA system. Remote attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting specific web requests that target the log file directories, bypassing normal authentication and authorization mechanisms. This misconfiguration allows unauthorized access to log files that may contain information about system operations, user activities, and potentially sensitive data such as system configurations, error messages, or even credentials that might be inadvertently logged. The vulnerability operates at the application level and specifically affects the web server component that handles user requests, making it particularly dangerous as it requires no authentication to exploit.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the exposure of log files can lead to significant security implications. Attackers can leverage the leaked information to understand system behavior, identify potential attack vectors, and potentially escalate their privileges within the environment. The vulnerability can result in denial of service conditions when attackers repeatedly access log files, potentially causing system resource exhaustion or application instability. Additionally, the unspecified other impacts could include privilege escalation opportunities, system compromise, or the exposure of confidential information that could be used for further attacks. This vulnerability directly impacts the integrity and confidentiality of the managed environment, as it allows unauthorized access to operational data that should remain protected.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including restricting access to the web interface through network segmentation, implementing proper authentication and authorization controls, and configuring the system to deny access to log file directories. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses improper exposure of sensitive information, and represents a classic example of inadequate access control as outlined in CWE-285. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation), as attackers can use the information disclosure to identify system weaknesses and potentially escalate their access. System administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious web requests that target log files or other sensitive directories, as well as regularly reviewing system configurations to ensure that default settings are not left in place. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper security configuration management and the principle of least privilege in enterprise environments.