CVE-2010-4690 in ASA
Summary
by MITRE
The Mobile User Security (MUS) service on Cisco Adaptive Security Appliances (ASA) 5500 series devices with software before 8.3(2) does not properly authenticate HTTP requests from a Web Security appliance (WSA), which might allow remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a HEAD request, aka Bug ID CSCte53635.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/30/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2010-4690 represents a critical authentication flaw within Cisco Adaptive Security Appliances (ASA) 5500 series devices running software versions prior to 8.3(2). This issue specifically affects the Mobile User Security (MUS) service component, which is designed to provide secure remote access capabilities for mobile users connecting to corporate networks through ASA firewalls. The flaw stems from improper handling of HTTP requests originating from Cisco Web Security Appliances (WSA), creating a potential security breach that could allow unauthorized access to sensitive information. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the network security layer where authentication mechanisms are critical for maintaining secure communications between remote users and corporate resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the MUS service's failure to properly validate and authenticate HTTP requests received from Web Security appliances. When a HEAD request is sent to the affected ASA device, the system does not adequately verify the legitimacy of the request source or the authorization credentials associated with it. This authentication bypass allows remote attackers to potentially access sensitive information that should normally be restricted to authorized users only. The flaw operates at the application layer of the network stack, specifically within the HTTP request processing logic where the ASA fails to properly enforce access controls that should prevent unauthorized information disclosure. This issue is categorized under CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication mechanisms in network security appliances, making it a direct threat to the fundamental security posture of the affected devices.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates a potential pathway for attackers to escalate their privileges and gain deeper access to corporate networks. Remote attackers can exploit this flaw without requiring local access or credentials, making the attack surface particularly wide and difficult to monitor. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on ASA 5500 series devices for their network security infrastructure, potentially compromising mobile user access controls and exposing sensitive corporate data. This weakness could enable attackers to gather intelligence about network topology, user access patterns, and potentially gain access to additional network resources that would normally be protected by proper authentication mechanisms. The impact is particularly severe in environments where mobile workers rely heavily on ASA-based remote access solutions, as the vulnerability could undermine the entire security model for remote connectivity.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation through software updates to ASA devices running version 8.3(2) or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the authentication bypass issue. Network administrators should also implement additional monitoring measures to detect unusual HEAD request patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly in traffic flowing between ASA and WSA devices. The mitigation strategy should include comprehensive network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, along with enhanced logging and alerting mechanisms specifically designed to detect anomalous authentication behavior. Security teams should also review and validate their existing access control policies to ensure that any potential compromise of the MUS service does not create additional attack vectors within the network infrastructure. This vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining current security software versions and implementing robust network monitoring practices to detect and respond to authentication-related security incidents in real-time.