CVE-2011-5087 in TRACE MODE Data Center
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in AdAstrA TRACE MODE Data Center allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via unknown vectors, as demonstrated by the GLEG Agora SCADA+ Exploit Pack for Immunity CANVAS.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/23/2015
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-5087 represents a critical security flaw within the AdAstrA TRACE MODE Data Center software ecosystem. This unspecified weakness manifests as a remote file inclusion vulnerability that enables malicious actors to access arbitrary files on the affected system. The vulnerability was specifically demonstrated through the GLEG Agora SCADA+ Exploit Pack for Immunity CANVAS, highlighting its practical exploitation potential in industrial control system environments. The attack vector operates remotely without requiring local system access, making it particularly dangerous for operational technology infrastructure where network segmentation may be insufficient.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability appears to stem from inadequate input validation and file access controls within the TRACE MODE Data Center application. Attackers can leverage this weakness to traverse file system paths and retrieve sensitive data including configuration files, user credentials, system logs, and potentially proprietary industrial control information. The unspecified nature of the vulnerability vectors suggests that multiple attack surfaces within the application may be susceptible to manipulation, including but not limited to file upload handlers, configuration interfaces, or network communication modules. This broad attack surface characteristic aligns with common software security weaknesses documented in CWE-22 (Path Traversal) and CWE-73 (External Control of File Name or Path) categories.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends significantly within industrial environments where TRACE MODE Data Center systems are deployed for supervisory control and data acquisition purposes. Organizations operating critical infrastructure, manufacturing facilities, or energy systems face substantial risk from potential unauthorized access to operational data, configuration parameters, and system credentials. The ability to read arbitrary files could enable attackers to gain insights into system architecture, identify other potential vulnerabilities, and potentially escalate privileges within the industrial control environment. This vulnerability particularly threatens environments that rely on SCADA systems for process control and monitoring, where the compromise of data integrity and confidentiality can lead to operational disruptions or safety hazards.
Security mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-5087 should encompass multiple defensive layers including immediate patch deployment from the vendor, network segmentation to isolate critical systems, and implementation of robust access controls. Organizations must conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of the affected software within their infrastructure and ensure proper network monitoring for exploitation attempts. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1071.004 (Application Layer Protocol: DNS) and T1566 (Phishing) attack patterns when considering the broader exploitation landscape. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls, disabling unnecessary services, and maintaining up-to-date threat intelligence regarding the GLEG Agora SCADA+ Exploit Pack are essential defensive measures. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to verify the effectiveness of implemented controls and identify potential additional vulnerabilities within the industrial control system environment.