CVE-2014-8019 in Enterprise Content Delivery System
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in Cisco Enterprise Content Delivery System (ECDS) allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a crafted URL, aka Bug ID CSCuo90148.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/09/2022
The Cisco Enterprise Content Delivery System ECDS contains a directory traversal vulnerability that enables remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the affected system through specially crafted URLs. This vulnerability resides in the web interface component of the ECDS platform and represents a critical security flaw that can be exploited without authentication. The issue stems from insufficient input validation within the URL parsing mechanism, allowing malicious users to manipulate file paths and bypass normal access controls. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of the Cisco ECDS software and has been assigned the bug identifier CSCuo90148, indicating its severity and the need for immediate attention from system administrators.
This directory traversal vulnerability operates by exploiting improper sanitization of user-supplied input in web requests. When a user submits a malformed URL containing directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\, the system fails to properly validate these inputs before processing file access requests. The flaw allows attackers to navigate beyond the intended directory structure and access files that should remain restricted, including system configuration files, log files, and potentially sensitive data stored on the server. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-22 as "Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')" which is a well-documented weakness in software applications that handle file operations. The attack vector requires only a web browser and network access to the affected system, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited from anywhere on the internet.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, as it can potentially lead to complete system compromise. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can retrieve sensitive information including system credentials, configuration files, and potentially database contents that could be used for further attacks. The exposure of system files may also reveal internal system architecture details that could aid in planning more sophisticated attacks. This vulnerability can be leveraged as an initial access point in a broader attack campaign, allowing threat actors to establish persistence within the network and escalate privileges. The vulnerability affects Cisco ECDS deployments in enterprise environments where content delivery systems are used to manage and distribute web content, making it particularly concerning for organizations that rely on these platforms for their digital infrastructure.
Organizations affected by CVE-2014-8019 should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates. Cisco released specific fixes for this vulnerability in their software updates, which should be installed as a priority. Network segmentation and firewall rules can provide additional protection by limiting access to the affected ECDS systems from untrusted networks. Input validation mechanisms should be strengthened at the application level to prevent malformed URLs from being processed. System administrators should monitor logs for suspicious activity related to file access attempts and implement intrusion detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing) as attackers may use this vulnerability to gather intelligence about the target environment. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other applications and systems within the organization's infrastructure.