CVE-2011-3008 in Secure Access Link Gateway
Summary
by MITRE
The default configuration of Avaya Secure Access Link (SAL) Gateway 1.5, 1.8, and 2.0 contains certain domain names in the Secondary Core Server URL and Secondary Remote Server URL fields, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information by leveraging administrative access to these domain names, as demonstrated by alarm and log information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/02/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2011-3008 affects the Avaya Secure Access Link SAL Gateway versions 1.5, 1.8, and 2.0, representing a significant configuration weakness that exposes sensitive operational data through improperly configured network endpoints. This issue stems from the default installation settings where the Secondary Core Server URL and Secondary Remote Server URL fields contain hardcoded domain names that are accessible to unauthorized parties. The flaw operates under the principle of information disclosure through misconfigured administrative interfaces, allowing attackers with minimal privileges to gain access to critical system information that should remain restricted to authorized personnel. The vulnerability specifically targets the gateway's configuration management protocols where default settings fail to properly secure administrative access points, creating an attack surface that can be exploited without requiring extensive technical knowledge or privileged access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the exposure of internal domain names through URL fields that are not properly sanitized or secured during the default installation process. When the SAL Gateway is deployed with its default configuration, these URL fields contain references to internal systems that are not adequately protected from external access. The secondary server URLs provide attackers with pathways to access alarm and log information that typically would be restricted to administrative users with legitimate access rights. This configuration error creates a situation where remote attackers can leverage basic network reconnaissance to discover administrative endpoints that should be protected within internal network boundaries. The vulnerability operates through the exploitation of weak access control mechanisms and poor default security configuration practices, allowing information disclosure without requiring complex attack vectors or privilege escalation techniques.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for organizations using Avaya SAL Gateway systems, as it enables unauthorized access to critical system monitoring and operational data. The exposure of alarm and log information provides attackers with valuable intelligence about system behavior, potential security events, and operational patterns that can be used to plan more sophisticated attacks. The information disclosure can lead to operational disruption, compliance violations, and potential compromise of additional system components that rely on the exposed data for their security posture. Organizations may face regulatory penalties and increased risk exposure when such sensitive information becomes accessible to unauthorized parties, particularly in environments where strict access controls and information segregation are required for compliance with security frameworks such as iso 27001 or pci dss standards.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses information exposure, and demonstrates poor security practices in default configuration management. It also maps to ATT&CK technique T1082, which involves discovery of system information, as attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gather information about the target system's configuration and operational status. Additionally, the issue reflects weaknesses in secure configuration management as outlined in NIST SP 800-53 control SC-5, which emphasizes the importance of secure system configuration and access control enforcement. Organizations should implement proper configuration management processes that include regular security assessments of default settings, network segmentation to isolate administrative interfaces, and comprehensive access control policies that prevent unauthorized access to sensitive operational data. The remediation approach should focus on modifying the default configuration settings to ensure that administrative URLs are properly secured and that access controls are enforced through proper authentication mechanisms and network access controls.
This vulnerability highlights the critical importance of secure default configurations in network security systems, particularly in enterprise gateway solutions where administrative access points can provide attackers with extensive information about system operations and security events. The issue demonstrates how seemingly minor configuration oversights can create significant security risks and emphasizes the need for comprehensive security testing of default installations. Organizations should implement regular security audits of their network infrastructure to identify and remediate similar configuration weaknesses, ensuring that default settings do not inadvertently expose sensitive operational information to unauthorized parties. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the fundamental principle that security by default should be a core design consideration in all network security solutions, with proper access controls and information protection mechanisms implemented from the initial installation process.