INFORMATION BULLETIN

Q-234: Cisco Security Advisory: Multiple Vulnerabilties in Wireless Control System

[Document ID: 70564]

June 28, 2006 18:00 GMT
[REVISED 15 June 2007]


PROBLEM:	Wireless Control System is a centralized, systems-level application for managing and controlling lightweight access points and wireless LAN controllers for the Cisco Unified Wireless Network. WCS contains multiple vulnerabilities including information disclosure and privilege escalation issues. The issues are detailed below: CSCsd15955—Remote users can connect to the WCS internal database with an undocumented username and hard-coded password, gaining access to the sensitive configuration information of managed wireless access points. CSCsd15951—The undocumented database username and password are present in several WCS files in clear text. CSCse21391—WCS installations contain the default administrator username root with a default password of public. CSCsd71397—A remote user can read from or write to arbitrary locations in the filesystem of a WCS system via the internal TFTP server. CSCse01127—The login page for the WCS HTTP interface fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data for malicious script code. CSCse01409—The WCS HTTP server does not properly secure certain directories, potentially allowing access to sensitive information like WCS usernames and directory paths.
PLATFORM:	Vulnerable Products DDTS Affected Releases CSCsd15955 WCS for Linux and Windows 3.2(40) and earlier CSCsd15951 WCS for Linux and Windows 3.2(51) and earlier CSCse21391 WCS for Linux and Windows 4.0(1) and earlier CSCsd71397 WCS for Linux and Windows 3.2(51) and earlier CSCse01127 WCS for Linux and Windows 3.2(51) and earlier CSCse01409 WCS for Linux and Windows 3.2(51) and earlier
DAMAGE:	Cisco Wireless Control System (WCS) contains multiple vulnerabilities which may allow a remote user to: access sensitive configuration information about access points managed by WCS read from and write to arbitrary files on a WCS system log in to a WCS system with a default administrator password execute script code in a WCS user's web browser access directories which may reveal sensitive WCS configuration information
SOLUTION:	Upgrade to the appropriate version. Where applicable, only a workaround is avaiable.

VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT:	The risk is HIGH. May allow a remote attacker to access sensitive configuration information about access points managed by WCS read from and write to arbitrary files on a WCS system log in to a WCS system with a default administrator password execute script code in a WCS user's web browser access directories which may reveal sensitive WCS configuration information

LINKS:
CIAC BULLETIN:	http://www.ciac.org/ciac/bulletins/q-234.shtml
ORIGINAL BULLETIN:	Cisco Security Advisory Document ID: 70564
	http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/products_security_advisory09186a00806cd85a.shtml

REVISION HISTORY:
	06/15/2007 - revised Q-234 to reflect changes Cisco has made in Document ID: 70564
                 where they made minor changes to Software Versions and Fixes Table for
                 DDTS CSCse21391.




[***** Start Document ID: 70564 *****]

Cisco Security Advisory: Multiple Vulnerabilities in Wireless Control System

Document ID: 70564

Advisory ID: cisco-sa-20060628-wcs

http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/707/cisco-sa-20060628-wcs.shtml

Revision 1.2

Last Updated 2007 June 01 0330 UTC (GMT)

For Public Release 2006 June 28 1600 UTC (GMT)

Summary
Affected Products
Details
Impact
Software Versions and Fixes
Workarounds
Obtaining Fixed Software
Exploitation and Public Announcements
Status of this Notice: FINAL
Distribution
Revision History
Cisco Security Procedures

Summary

Cisco Wireless Control System (WCS) contains multiple vulnerabilities which may allow a remote user to:

access sensitive configuration information about access points managed by WCS
read from and write to arbitrary files on a WCS system
log in to a WCS system with a default administrator password
execute script code in a WCS user's web browser
access directories which may reveal sensitive WCS configuration information

There are workarounds for several, but not all, of these vulnerabilities. See the Workarounds section for more information. Cisco has made free software available to address these vulnerabilities for affected customers.

This advisory is posted at http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/707/cisco-sa-20060628-wcs.shtml.

Affected Products

This section provides details on affected products.

Vulnerable Products

DDTS	Affected Releases
CSCsd15955	WCS for Linux and Windows 3.2(40) and earlier
CSCsd15951	WCS for Linux and Windows 3.2(51) and earlier
CSCse21391	WCS for Linux and Windows 4.0(1) and earlier
CSCsd71397	WCS for Linux and Windows 3.2(51) and earlier
CSCse01127	WCS for Linux and Windows 3.2(51) and earlier
CSCse01409	WCS for Linux and Windows 3.2(51) and earlier

The version of WCS software installed on a particular device can be found via the WCS HTTP management interface. Select Help -> About the Software to obtain the software version.

Products Confirmed Not Vulnerable

No other Cisco products are currently known to be affected by these vulnerabilities.

Details

Wireless Control System is a centralized, systems-level application for managing and controlling lightweight access points and wireless LAN controllers for the Cisco Unified Wireless Network.

WCS contains multiple vulnerabilities including information disclosure and privilege escalation issues. The issues are detailed below:

CSCsd15955 ( registered customers only) —Remote users can connect to the WCS internal database with an undocumented username and hard-coded password, gaining access to the sensitive configuration information of managed wireless access points.
CSCsd15951 ( registered customers only) —The undocumented database username and password are present in several WCS files in clear text.
CSCse21391 ( registered customers only) —WCS installations contain the default administrator username root with a default password of public. The password is not required to be changed during installation or upon the initial login. There is a workaround for this vulnerability.
CSCsd71397 ( registered customers only) —A remote user can read from or write to arbitrary locations in the filesystem of a WCS system via the internal TFTP server. This problem only occurs if the directory path chosen by the user during the installation of WCS for the root of the internal TFTP server contains a space character. There is a workaround for this vulnerability.
CSCse01127 ( registered customers only) —The login page for the WCS HTTP interface does not completely sanitize user-supplied data for malicious script code. This may result in the ability for an attacker to entice a user to access a malicious URL which executes arbitrary script code in the user's web browser.
CSCse01409 ( registered customers only) —The WCS HTTP server does not completely secure certain directories, potentially allowing access to sensitive information like WCS usernames and directory paths.

These issues are documented by the following Cisco bug IDs:

CSCsd15955 ( registered customers only) —WCS DBserver is remotely accessible using Solid SQL and static password
CSCsd15951 ( registered customers only) —Database passwords are written in clear text on the program folders
CSCse21391 ( registered customers only) —WCS ships with default administrator account and password
CSCsd71397 ( registered customers only) —WCS tftp read/writes to C:\ if given dir has a space
CSCse01127 ( registered customers only) —Possible CSS attack on login page of WCS
CSCse01409 ( registered customers only) —WCS allows unauthenticated access to user list and html files on server

Impact

Successful exploitation of the vulnerabilities presented in this advisory have different impacts.

CSCsd15955—May result in the exposure of sensitive configuration information for wireless access points managed by the WCS server, including encryption keys. With the encryption keys for managed wireless networks, an attacker can intercept and decrypt network traffic.
CSCsd15951—May allow an attacker to gain access to the WCS internal database.
CSCse21391—May allow an attacker to gain complete control of a WCS installation.
CSCsd71397—May result in the ability to read from and write to arbitrary locations in the filesystem of a system running WCS, including the ability to overwrite and create new files.
CSCse01127—Exploitation may allow an attacker to execute arbitrary script code in a user's web browser. This may be used to obtain sensitive session information which can be used to access the WCS management interface.
CSCse01409—Exploitation may allow an attacker to obtain sensitive WCS configuration data such as WCS usernames and directory installation paths.

Software Versions and Fixes

When considering software upgrades, also consult http://www.cisco.com/go/psirt and any subsequent advisories to determine exposure and a complete upgrade solution.

In all cases, customers should exercise caution to be certain the devices to be upgraded contain sufficient memory and that current hardware and software configurations will continue to be supported properly by the new release. If the information is not clear, contact the Cisco Technical Assistance Center (TAC) or your contracted maintenance provider for assistance.

WCS version 4.0 can be obtained from http://www.cisco.com/pcgi-bin/tablebuild.pl/Wireless_Control_System_Software. Please contact the Cisco TAC to obtain earlier versions of WCS software.

Each row of the Cisco IOS software table (below) describes a release train and the platforms or products for which it is intended. If a given release train is vulnerable, then the earliest possible releases that contain the fix (the "First Fixed Release") and the anticipated date of availability for each are listed in the "Rebuild" and "Maintenance" columns. A device running a release in the given train that is earlier than the release in a specific column (less than the First Fixed Release) is known to be vulnerable. The release should be upgraded at least to the indicated release or a later version (greater than or equal to the First Fixed Release label).

For more information on the terms "Rebuild" and "Maintenance," consult the following URL:

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/sw/iosswrel/ps1828/products_white_paper09186a008018305e.shtml

DDTS	Affected Releases	Fixed Releases
CSCsd15955	WCS for Linux and Windows 3.2(40) and earlier	WCS for Linux and Windows 3.2(51) and later
CSCsd15951	WCS for Linux and Windows 3.2(51) and earlier	WCS for Linux and Windows 3.2(63) and later
CSCse21391	WCS for Linux and Windows 4.0(1) and earlier	WCS for Linux and Windows 4.1(83) and later
CSCsd71397	WCS for Linux and Windows 3.2(51) and earlier	WCS for Linux and Windows 3.2(63) and later
CSCse01127	WCS for Linux and Windows 3.2(51) and earlier	WCS for Linux and Windows 3.2(63) and later
CSCse01409	WCS for Linux and Windows 3.2(51) and earlier	WCS for Linux and Windows 3.2(63) and later

Users of the 3.2 software version can upgrade to 3.2(63) to receive all fixes. CSCse21391 currently has no fix, although there is a workaround that will completely eliminate the vulnerability. Fixed software will be available in the fourth quarter of 2006.

Workarounds

There are are no workarounds for vulnerabilities described in CSCsd15955 (default database account and password), CSCsd15951 (database user and password in clear text), CSCse01127 (XSS) and CSCse01409 (unprotected HTTP directories).

There is a workaround for the vulnerability described in CSCse21391 (default administrator account and password). Users can change the password for the root username via the WCS HTTP management interface. Select Administration -> Accounts -> root to change the password.

There is a workaround for the vulnerability described in CSCsd71397 (TFTP file read and write). Follow these steps to mitigate the TFTP vulnerability.

Stop the WCS service via Programs -> Wireless Control System -> StopWCS.

Edit the file \webnms\conf\NmsProcessesBE.conf. WCS is typically installed in C:\Program Files\WCS32. Modify the section

# java com.adventnet.nms.tftp.NmsTftpServer [TFTP_ROOT_DIRECTORY dir] [PORT portNo]
# RJS WARNING - If you change these lines, you must change the installer.
PROCESS             com.adventnet.nms.tftp.NmsTftpServer
ARGS            TFTP_ROOT_DIRECTORY C:/some directory PORT 69 RETRIES 3 TIMEOUT 30000

by placing quotes around the directory path like "C:/some directory".

Start the WCS service via Programs -> Wireless Control System -> StartWCS.

Obtaining Fixed Software

Cisco will make free software available to address this vulnerability for affected customers. This advisory will be updated as fixed software becomes available. Prior to deploying software, customers should consult their maintenance provider or check the software for feature set compatibility and known issues specific to their environment.

Customers may only install and expect support for the feature sets they have purchased. By installing, downloading, accessing or otherwise using such software upgrades, customers agree to be bound by the terms of Cisco's software license terms found at http://www.cisco.com/public/sw-license-agreement.html , or as otherwise set forth at Cisco.com Downloads at http://www.cisco.com/public/sw-center/sw-usingswc.shtml.

Do not contact either "psirt@cisco.com" or "security-alert@cisco.com" for software upgrades.

Customers with Service Contracts

Customers with contracts should obtain upgraded software through their regular update channels. For most customers, this means that upgrades should be obtained through the Software Center on Cisco's worldwide website at http://www.cisco.com.

Customers using Third Party Support Organizations

Customers whose Cisco products are provided or maintained through prior or existing agreement with third-party support organizations such as Cisco Partners, authorized resellers, or service providers should contact that support organization for guidance and assistance with the appropriate course of action in regards to this advisory.

The effectiveness of any workaround or fix is dependent on specific customer situations such as product mix, network topology, traffic behavior, and organizational mission. Due to the variety of affected products and releases, customers should consult with their service provider or support organization to ensure any applied workaround or fix is the most appropriate for use in the intended network before it is deployed.

Customers without Service Contracts

Customers who purchase direct from Cisco but who do not hold a Cisco service contract and customers who purchase through third-party vendors but are unsuccessful at obtaining fixed software through their point of sale should get their upgrades by contacting the Cisco Technical Assistance Center (TAC). TAC contacts are as follows.

+1 800 553 2447 (toll free from within North America)
+1 408 526 7209 (toll call from anywhere in the world)
e-mail: tac@cisco.com

Have your product serial number available and give the URL of this notice as evidence of your entitlement to a free upgrade. Free upgrades for non-contract customers must be requested through the TAC.

Refer to http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/687/Directory/DirTAC.shtml for additional TAC contact information, including special localized telephone numbers and instructions and e-mail addresses for use in various languages.

Exploitation and Public Announcements

The Cisco PSIRT is not aware of any public announcements or malicious use of the vulnerability described in this advisory.

Status of this Notice: FINAL

THIS DOCUMENT IS PROVIDED ON AN "AS IS" BASIS AND DOES NOT IMPLY ANY KIND OF GUARANTEE OR WARRANTY, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR USE. YOUR USE OF THE INFORMATION ON THE DOCUMENT OR MATERIALS LINKED FROM THE DOCUMENT IS AT YOUR OWN RISK. CISCO RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CHANGE OR UPDATE THIS DOCUMENT AT ANY TIME.

A stand-alone copy or Paraphrase of the text of this document that omits the distribution URL in the following section is an uncontrolled copy, and may lack important information or contain factual errors.

Distribution

This advisory is posted on Cisco's worldwide website at:

http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/707/cisco-sa-20060628-wcs.shtml

In addition to worldwide web posting, a text version of this notice is clear-signed with the Cisco PSIRT PGP key and is posted to the following e-mail and Usenet news recipients.

cust-security-announce@cisco.com
first-teams@first.org
bugtraq@securityfocus.com
vulnwatch@vulnwatch.org
cisco@spot.colorado.edu
cisco-nsp@puck.nether.net
full-disclosure@lists.grok.org.uk
comp.dcom.sys.cisco@newsgate.cisco.com

Future updates of this advisory, if any, will be placed on Cisco's worldwide website, but may or may not be actively announced on mailing lists or newsgroups. Users concerned about this problem are encouraged to check the above URL for any updates.

Revision History

Revision 1.2	2007-June-01	Minor changes to Software Versions and Fixes Table for DDTS CSCse21391.
Revision 1.1	2006-June-28	Minor changes to descriptions
Revision 1.0	2006-June-28	Initial Public Release

[***** End Document ID: 70564 *****]

CIAC wishes to acknowledge the contributions of Cisco for the information contained in this bulletin.

CIAC services are available to DOE, DOE Contractors, and the NIH. CIAC can be contacted at:

    Voice:          +1 925-422-8193 (7 x 24)
    FAX:            +1 925-423-8002
    STU-III:        +1 925-423-2604
    E-mail:          ciac@ciac.org
    World Wide Web:  http://www.ciac.org/
    Anonymous FTP:   ftp.ciac.org

This document was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the United States Government. Neither the United States Government nor the University of California nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation or favoring by the United States Government or the University of California. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government or the University of California, and shall not be used for advertising or product endorsement purposes.

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