CVE-2001-1222 in Server Administrator
Summary
by MITRE
Plesk Server Administrator (PSA) 1.0 allows remote attackers to obtain PHP source code via an HTTP request containing the target s IP address and a valid account name for the domain.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/11/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2001-1222 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within Plesk Server Administrator version 1.0, a web-based control panel for managing internet services. This weakness enables remote attackers to extract PHP source code files from targeted servers, potentially exposing sensitive application logic, configuration details, and business-critical code. The vulnerability specifically affects the handling of HTTP requests where an attacker can manipulate the request parameters to access PHP files that should remain protected within the server's file system. The flaw exists in the way the system processes account name parameters within domain requests, allowing unauthorized access to source code files that are typically restricted from public viewing.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and access control mechanisms within the Plesk interface. When a user submits an HTTP request containing a target IP address and a valid account name for a domain, the system fails to properly sanitize or validate these parameters before processing them against the file system. This allows attackers to craft malicious requests that traverse directory structures and retrieve PHP source code files without proper authentication or authorization. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and leverages the web server's handling of specific URL patterns and parameter combinations to bypass normal access controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as PHP source code often contains sensitive elements such as database connection strings, API keys, configuration parameters, and application logic that could be exploited by attackers to develop more sophisticated attacks. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability gains visibility into the internal workings of the web application, potentially identifying additional weaknesses in the system architecture, understanding the application's security mechanisms, and discovering other potential attack vectors. The exposure of source code can also provide attackers with insights into the server's configuration and implementation details that may lead to further compromise of the system.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-502, which describes insecure deserialization and improper input validation issues, and relates to the ATT&CK technique T1566 for initial access through malicious file delivery or exploitation of web applications. The flaw demonstrates a classic case of insufficient access control and improper parameter handling that allows arbitrary file access. Organizations using Plesk Server Administrator 1.0 should immediately implement mitigations including patching to the latest available version, implementing proper input validation for all user-supplied parameters, and configuring web server access controls to prevent direct file access to PHP source code files. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns of file access requests that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of proper input validation and access control implementation in web applications, particularly in control panels that manage multiple domains and accounts, where the risk of information disclosure can have cascading effects across multiple services and users.