CVE-2011-0966 in CiscoWorks Common Services
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in cwhp/auditLog.do in the Homepage Auditing component in Cisco CiscoWorks Common Services 3.3 and earlier allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the file parameter, aka Bug ID CSCto35577.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/28/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-0966 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within Cisco CiscoWorks Common Services version 3.3 and earlier releases. This weakness specifically affects the Homepage Auditing component's auditLog.do servlet which processes file parameters without adequate input validation. The vulnerability enables remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the affected system by manipulating the file parameter with directory traversal sequences such as .. characters. This issue falls under the CWE-22 category of Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, commonly known as Path Traversal, which is a fundamental security flaw that has been consistently ranked among the top cybersecurity risks by various industry organizations including OWASP.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the lack of proper input sanitization in the auditLog.do endpoint. When an attacker submits a malicious file parameter containing directory traversal sequences, the application fails to validate or sanitize the input before processing it. This allows the attacker to navigate beyond the intended directory structure and access files that should remain restricted. The vulnerability specifically targets the CiscoWorks Common Services platform which serves as a foundational component for network management and monitoring operations. Attackers can leverage this weakness to access sensitive configuration files, log data, and potentially system credentials stored on the server. The impact extends beyond simple file access as the attacker may be able to retrieve database connection strings, user credentials, and other confidential information that could compromise the entire network management infrastructure.
Operationally, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to organizations using CiscoWorks Common Services as it allows remote attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data without requiring authentication. The attack can be executed from any location with network access to the vulnerable service, making it particularly dangerous for organizations with exposed management interfaces. The compromised system could serve as a foothold for further attacks within the network, potentially enabling privilege escalation or lateral movement. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing with Malicious Attachment) techniques, as attackers can discover and exfiltrate sensitive files from the compromised system. The vulnerability also aligns with T1528 (TTP: T1528 - Steal Application Access Token) when attackers can access application-specific files that may contain authentication tokens or session information.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-0966 should focus on immediate patching of affected CiscoWorks Common Services installations to version 3.4 or later where the vulnerability has been addressed. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to the vulnerable service and ensure that only authorized personnel can reach the management interfaces. Input validation controls should be strengthened to reject any path traversal sequences in file parameters, and the principle of least privilege should be enforced when configuring the auditLog.do endpoint. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular vulnerability assessments and implement web application firewalls to detect and block malicious directory traversal attempts. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual file access patterns and unauthorized attempts to retrieve system files. The vulnerability underscores the importance of regular security updates and proper input validation practices in preventing exploitation of path traversal attacks that have been documented in numerous security advisories and incident reports over the years.