CVE-2013-5554 in Wide Area Application Services Mobile
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in the web-management interface in the server in Cisco Wide Area Application Services (WAAS) Mobile before 3.5.5 allows remote attackers to upload and execute arbitrary files via a crafted POST request, aka Bug ID CSCuh69773.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/10/2022
The vulnerability CVE-2013-5554 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within Cisco Wide Area Application Services (WAAS) Mobile software versions prior to 3.5.5. This weakness exists in the web-management interface of the WAAS server component, which is designed to optimize application performance across wide area networks. The vulnerability specifically affects the mobile WAAS implementation that enables application acceleration and optimization for mobile devices and remote users. Attackers can exploit this flaw to gain unauthorized access to the system's file structure and execute malicious code with elevated privileges, potentially compromising the entire network infrastructure that relies on WAAS for application delivery optimization.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and improper path handling within the web-management interface. When processing crafted POST requests, the system fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data that contains directory traversal sequences such as "../" or similar path manipulation techniques. This allows attackers to navigate outside the intended directory boundaries and access restricted system files. The flaw is categorized as CWE-22 - Improper Limiting of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, which is a well-documented weakness in software security where applications fail to properly validate or sanitize file paths. The vulnerability enables attackers to upload malicious files directly to the server's file system, bypassing normal access controls and potentially installing backdoors or rootkits that provide persistent access to the compromised system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, affecting organizations that deploy Cisco WAAS Mobile for application acceleration and optimization. Remote attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can execute arbitrary code on the affected server, potentially leading to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive network resources. The attack vector requires only a single crafted POST request, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited without requiring authentication or prior access to the network. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, which describes how attackers target vulnerabilities in externally accessible applications to gain initial access. The compromised system could serve as a foothold for further lateral movement within the network, allowing attackers to escalate privileges and access additional resources protected by the WAAS infrastructure. Organizations relying on WAAS Mobile for application delivery optimization face significant risk of data breaches, service disruption, and potential regulatory compliance violations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-5554 primarily involve immediate software updates and configuration hardening measures. Organizations should upgrade their Cisco WAAS Mobile deployments to version 3.5.5 or later, which includes patches addressing the directory traversal vulnerability. Additionally, network administrators should implement strict input validation controls and sanitize all user-supplied data before processing. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by restricting write permissions on critical system directories and implementing network segmentation to limit access to the WAAS management interface. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual file upload patterns and suspicious POST requests that may indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to filter malicious requests and establish regular vulnerability scanning procedures to identify similar weaknesses in other network components. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against exploitation of known vulnerabilities.