CVE-2013-3406 in Service Portal
Summary
by MITRE
The "Files Available for Download" implementation in the Cisco Intelligent Automation for Cloud component in Cisco Services Portal 9.4(1) allows remote authenticated users to read arbitrary files via a crafted request, aka Bug ID CSCug65687.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/16/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-3406 resides within the Cisco Intelligent Automation for Cloud component of the Cisco Services Portal version 9.4(1). This flaw manifests in the "Files Available for Download" functionality, which was designed to provide authorized users with access to specific downloadable resources. The implementation contains a critical security oversight that permits remote authenticated attackers to bypass normal access controls and retrieve arbitrary files from the underlying system. This represents a classic path traversal vulnerability that undermines the intended security boundaries of the application.
The technical flaw stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the file download mechanism. When authenticated users submit requests to access downloadable files, the system fails to properly validate the file paths provided in the request parameters. Attackers can manipulate these parameters to include directory traversal sequences such as "../" or similar constructs that allow them to navigate outside the intended download directory. This vulnerability falls under CWE-22, which specifically addresses path traversal or directory traversal vulnerabilities that occur when applications fail to properly validate user-supplied input before using it to access files or directories. The weakness exists at the application level where user input directly influences file system operations without adequate sanitization or authorization checks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, as it provides attackers with the ability to potentially extract sensitive information from the system. An attacker who has authenticated access to the portal can leverage this vulnerability to read configuration files, database credentials, application source code, or other sensitive data that should remain protected. The attack requires only an authenticated session, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by malicious insiders or compromised legitimate users. This vulnerability directly enables data exfiltration and information disclosure, which can lead to further exploitation opportunities including privilege escalation or system compromise. The attack vector is remote, meaning no physical access to the system is required, and the exploit can be executed through standard web browser interactions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-3406 should focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the file download functionality. Organizations should ensure that all file paths are properly validated against a whitelist of acceptable directories and that any user-supplied path information is normalized and checked for malicious sequences. The implementation should enforce strict directory boundaries and prevent traversal outside of designated download areas. System administrators should also consider implementing additional security controls such as web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious path traversal patterns. According to ATT&CK framework category T1078, which covers valid accounts and credential access, this vulnerability represents a method for attackers to gain access to resources they should not be authorized to access. Cisco has issued patches and updates for this vulnerability, and organizations should ensure they are running patched versions of the Services Portal software to eliminate this risk. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar path traversal vulnerabilities in other components of the application stack.