CVE-2010-5146 in Web Security
Summary
by MITRE
The Remote Filtering component in Websense Web Security and Web Filter before 7.1 Hotfix 66 allows local users to bypass filtering by (1) renaming the WDC.exe file or (2) deleting driver files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/13/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-5146 resides within the Remote Filtering component of Websense Web Security and Web Filter software versions prior to 7.1 Hotfix 66. This represents a critical security flaw that fundamentally undermines the integrity of the web filtering system by enabling local attackers to circumvent content restrictions through simple file manipulation techniques. The vulnerability operates at the core of the software's defensive architecture, where the filtering mechanisms are designed to prevent unauthorized access to potentially harmful or inappropriate web content while maintaining organizational security policies.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the software's dependency on specific executable files and driver components that are essential for proper filtering operations. Attackers with local system access can bypass these security controls by either renaming the WDC.exe file, which serves as a critical component in the filtering process, or by deleting the necessary driver files that enable the system to function correctly. This manipulation effectively disables the filtering capabilities of the Websense solution, allowing malicious or unauthorized web traffic to pass through without proper inspection or restriction. The flaw demonstrates a fundamental lack of proper file integrity validation and robust access controls within the application's design.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple bypass capabilities, as it represents a complete breakdown in the security model of the web filtering solution. Organizations relying on Websense for content control and network protection face significant risks when this vulnerability exists in their environment, as it essentially renders the security controls ineffective against local attackers who can exploit this weakness to gain unrestricted access to web resources. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and demonstrates poor defensive programming practices where the software fails to implement proper file validation and system integrity checks. The implications are particularly severe in enterprise environments where web filtering policies are critical for maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements and protecting against data exfiltration threats.
From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which addresses improper file permissions, and represents a classic example of insufficient privilege separation and inadequate access control mechanisms. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this issue under privilege escalation techniques where local users can manipulate system files to gain elevated control over security functions. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the available 7.1 Hotfix 66 patch, conducting thorough security assessments of the affected systems, and implementing additional monitoring controls to detect unauthorized file modifications. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining robust file integrity checking mechanisms and proper system hardening practices to prevent such bypass scenarios. Security teams should also consider implementing network-based monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous behavior patterns indicating potential exploitation attempts.