CVE-2010-5292 in Amberdms Billing System
Summary
by MITRE
Amberdms Billing System (ABS) before 1.4.1, when a multi-instance installation is configured, might allow local users to obtain sensitive information by reading the cache in between runs of the include/cron/services_usage.php cron job.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/01/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-5292 affects the Amberdms Billing System (ABS) version 1.4.0 and earlier, specifically when deployed in multi-instance configurations. This represents a significant security flaw that could potentially expose sensitive operational data to unauthorized local users within the system environment. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of cache files that persist between execution cycles of the cron job responsible for processing services usage data.
The technical flaw manifests in the system's failure to adequately secure cache files that are generated and maintained during the execution of include/cron/services_usage.php. When multiple instances of the billing system are configured, these cache files become shared resources that contain sensitive information about service usage, billing data, and potentially user-related operational details. The vulnerability occurs because the cache files are not properly protected between cron job executions, allowing local users to access these files directly through file system read operations.
This vulnerability operates under the context of a multi-instance installation where separate billing system instances coexist on the same server or network environment. The attack vector involves local users who have access to the system's file system and can read cache files that contain information processed by the services_usage.php cron job. The impact is particularly concerning because the cache files may contain billing records, service usage statistics, and other sensitive operational data that could be exploited for financial fraud, service abuse, or information gathering.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it could enable attackers to gain insights into billing patterns, customer service usage, and potentially identify vulnerabilities in the system's billing logic. This information could be leveraged to craft more sophisticated attacks or to understand the system's operational behavior. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in shared hosting environments or multi-tenant systems where multiple organizations might be using the same infrastructure but with separate instances of the billing system.
The security implications align with CWE-200, which addresses "Information Exposure," and represents a specific case where cache files are improperly secured between system operations. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing), as attackers could use the exposed information to better craft targeted attacks against system users or to understand system weaknesses for more advanced exploitation techniques. The vulnerability also demonstrates characteristics of T1005 (Data from Local System) and T1071.004 (Application Layer Protocol: DNS), as it involves local data access and could potentially be used to gather information for further network-based attacks.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper file system permissions for cache directories, ensuring that cache files are not accessible to unauthorized local users, and implementing secure file handling practices for the cron job execution. System administrators should upgrade to version 1.4.1 or later where this vulnerability has been addressed through improved cache file handling and security measures. Additionally, implementing proper logging and monitoring for cache file access can help detect potential exploitation attempts. The fix typically involves ensuring that cache files are properly secured with appropriate permissions and that sensitive data is not persisted in readable formats between cron job executions.