CVE-2010-3280 in CCAgent
Summary
by MITRE
The CCAgent option 9.0.8.4 and earlier in the management server (aka TSA) component in Alcatel-Lucent OmniTouch Contact Center Standard Edition relies on client-side authorization checking, and unconditionally sends the SuperUser password to the client for use during an authorized session, which allows remote attackers to monitor or reconfigure Contact Center operations via a modified client application.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/07/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-3280 affects the Alcatel-Lucent OmniTouch Contact Center Standard Edition management server component known as the TSA or Transaction Server Agent. This critical security flaw exists in versions 9.0.8.4 and earlier, representing a fundamental failure in the system's authentication and authorization architecture. The vulnerability stems from the system's reliance on client-side authorization mechanisms rather than implementing robust server-side validation controls. This design choice creates a dangerous dependency where the security of the entire system hinges on the integrity of client applications that can be easily compromised or modified by malicious actors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the CCAgent component sending the SuperUser password unconditionally to any client application that requests it, regardless of whether the client has proper authorization credentials or not. This behavior violates fundamental security principles by exposing privileged credentials to potentially unauthorized parties. The flaw operates at the application layer and represents a classic case of insufficient authorization checks, which maps directly to CWE-285 - Improper Authorization. The system's failure to validate client requests before providing sensitive authentication data creates an opportunity for attackers to intercept and misuse these credentials for unauthorized access to the contact center operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple unauthorized access, creating a comprehensive compromise of the contact center's security posture. Remote attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can monitor all contact center operations, potentially gaining access to sensitive customer information, call recordings, and operational data. The ability to reconfigure Contact Center operations means attackers can modify system settings, alter call routing, manipulate agent assignments, and potentially disrupt business operations entirely. This vulnerability essentially provides a backdoor to the entire contact center management infrastructure, allowing attackers to maintain persistent access and conduct reconnaissance activities without detection.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1078 - Valid Accounts and T1566 - Phishing, as attackers can leverage the exposed credentials to establish legitimate-looking sessions within the system. The vulnerability also represents a significant risk to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the contact center infrastructure. Organizations using affected versions face potential regulatory compliance violations, data breaches, and operational disruptions that could impact customer service quality and business continuity. The vulnerability's exploitability is particularly concerning because it requires minimal technical skill to leverage, making it attractive to a broad range of threat actors from script kiddies to sophisticated adversaries.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The most critical immediate action is to upgrade to a patched version of the Alcatel-Lucent OmniTouch Contact Center Standard Edition that implements proper server-side authorization checking and does not unconditionally transmit SuperUser credentials. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to the TSA component, deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for unusual credential usage patterns, and establish strict access controls for the management interfaces. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect potential client modifications or unauthorized credential usage attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of defense-in-depth principles and the necessity of implementing robust server-side validation controls rather than relying on client-side security measures that can be easily bypassed.