CVE-2018-0420 in Wireless LAN Controller Software
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the web-based interface of Cisco Wireless LAN Controller Software could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to view sensitive information. The issue is due to improper sanitization of user-supplied input in HTTP request parameters that describe filenames and pathnames. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by using directory traversal techniques to submit a path to a desired file location. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to view system files on the targeted device, which may contain sensitive information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/30/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-0420 represents a critical security flaw in Cisco Wireless LAN Controller Software affecting the web-based management interface. This weakness resides in the improper sanitization of user-supplied input within HTTP request parameters that handle filename and pathname specifications. The vulnerability stems from inadequate validation mechanisms that fail to properly filter or sanitize malicious input submitted by authenticated users. Attackers can leverage this flaw through directory traversal techniques by crafting specific HTTP requests containing malicious path references that target desired file locations on the affected system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. This flaw allows an authenticated remote attacker to bypass normal access controls and gain unauthorized access to system files that should remain protected. The vulnerability specifically impacts the web-based management interface of Cisco Wireless LAN Controller Software, where the application fails to properly validate and sanitize input parameters that control file access operations. When users submit requests containing specially crafted pathname parameters, the system processes these inputs without adequate sanitization, enabling attackers to navigate through the file system hierarchy and access sensitive files.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with access to potentially sensitive system files that may contain configuration data, credentials, or other confidential information. This access could enable attackers to gather intelligence about the network infrastructure, identify security misconfigurations, or extract credentials that could facilitate further attacks. The authenticated nature of the exploit means that attackers must first obtain valid credentials to access the web interface, but once inside, they can leverage this vulnerability to escalate their access and gather additional intelligence about the targeted network environment. The vulnerability affects Cisco Wireless LAN Controller Software versions prior to 8.5.100.0, making organizations running these older versions particularly susceptible to exploitation.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to Cisco Wireless LAN Controller Software version 8.5.100.0 or later, which contains patches addressing this vulnerability. Network segmentation and access control measures should be strengthened to limit access to the web-based management interface to only authorized personnel. Additional protective measures include implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious directory traversal attempts, monitoring for unusual file access patterns, and conducting regular security assessments of the wireless infrastructure. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and implementing proper input validation mechanisms to prevent similar issues in web applications. This flaw demonstrates how inadequate input sanitization can lead to severe security implications, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security testing and validation of all user-supplied inputs in web-based applications. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege access controls and regular credential rotation to minimize the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts.