CVE-2016-5076 in NMS
Summary
by MITRE
CloudView NMS before 2.10a allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a direct request for admin/auto.def.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/28/2020
The CloudView Network Management System version 2.10a and earlier contains a critical information disclosure vulnerability that enables remote attackers to access sensitive administrative configuration files. This vulnerability stems from improper access controls within the web application's file serving mechanism, specifically affecting the admin/auto.def file which contains critical system configuration data. The flaw exists in the application's handling of direct file requests without adequate authentication or authorization checks, allowing any remote attacker to retrieve administrative information simply by crafting a specific HTTP request to the vulnerable endpoint.
This vulnerability represents a classic example of insecure direct object reference as classified under CWE-22 and falls within the broader category of information disclosure flaws. The administrative auto.def file likely contains sensitive configuration parameters including system credentials, network settings, and potentially cryptographic keys that would normally be restricted to authorized administrative users only. The absence of proper access controls means that this sensitive data becomes immediately available to any external party capable of making HTTP requests to the system, effectively providing attackers with a backdoor to critical system information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it provides attackers with foundational information necessary for further exploitation attempts. Once an attacker obtains the administrative configuration data, they can use this information to plan more sophisticated attacks targeting the system's authentication mechanisms, network architecture, or other sensitive components. The vulnerability also enables reconnaissance activities that would otherwise require more complex attack vectors, significantly reducing the attack surface and making system compromise more likely. This type of information disclosure aligns with tactics described in the attack pattern taxonomy where adversaries seek to gather system information before launching more targeted attacks.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper access controls and authentication checks for all file serving endpoints within the application. The system should enforce strict authorization checks before serving any administrative configuration files, ensuring that only authenticated administrative users can access sensitive data. Additionally, the web application should implement input validation and sanitization to prevent direct object reference attacks, and all file access should be routed through proper application logic rather than allowing direct file system access. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts to sensitive system files, following security best practices outlined in industry standards such as those provided by the Center for Internet Security and NIST guidelines for secure system administration.