CVE-2011-4014 in Wireless Control System Software
Summary
by MITRE
The TAC Case Attachment tool in Cisco Wireless Control System (WCS) 7.0 allows remote authenticated users to read arbitrary files under webnms/Temp/ via unspecified vectors, aka Bug ID CSCtq86807.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/23/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-4014 affects the TAC Case Attachment tool within Cisco Wireless Control System version 7.0, representing a critical file disclosure issue that enables remote authenticated attackers to access arbitrary files within the webnms/Temp/ directory. This weakness stems from insufficient input validation and access control mechanisms within the web-based management interface of the wireless control system, which operates under the broader context of Cisco's enterprise network infrastructure management solutions. The vulnerability specifically targets the temporary file handling functionality that is integral to the case attachment processing workflow, creating an attack surface where legitimate authenticated users can exploit improper path validation to traverse the file system and retrieve sensitive information.
The technical flaw manifests through unspecified vectors that allow authenticated users to manipulate file access requests within the webnms/Temp/ directory structure, which typically contains temporary files generated during normal system operations. This directory access vulnerability operates under the principles of insecure direct object reference as classified by CWE-22, where the application directly references objects without proper authorization checks or input sanitization. The attack leverages the fact that the TAC Case Attachment tool does not properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input that determines file paths, enabling attackers to construct malicious requests that bypass normal access controls and retrieve files that should remain restricted. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002 for Credential Access - Credentials in Files, as it allows unauthorized access to potentially sensitive temporary files that may contain system information, configuration data, or user credentials.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the compromised temporary directory may contain sensitive data that could be leveraged for further attacks within the network infrastructure. Attackers could potentially access temporary configuration files, log data, or other system artifacts that provide insights into the network topology, system configurations, or operational procedures. This vulnerability undermines the integrity of the authentication mechanisms within the Cisco WCS environment, as it allows authenticated users to escalate their privileges to unauthorized file access capabilities. The exposure of temporary files could reveal system internals, potentially exposing patterns in system behavior or identifying other vulnerabilities within the broader Cisco WCS ecosystem.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including restricting access to the TAC Case Attachment functionality to only authorized personnel, applying the latest security patches from Cisco, and implementing network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and access control implementation within web-based management interfaces, particularly those handling sensitive network infrastructure data. Security monitoring should focus on unusual file access patterns within the webnms/Temp/ directory structure, and network administrators should conduct thorough audits of temporary file handling mechanisms. Additionally, organizations should review their overall security posture for similar vulnerabilities in other Cisco products and ensure proper access controls are implemented across all management interfaces to prevent unauthorized file access scenarios that could compromise the integrity of wireless network operations.