CVE-2006-5028 in Plesk
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in filemanager/filemanager.php in SWsoft Plesk 7.5 Reload and Plesk 7.6 for Microsoft Windows allows remote attackers to list arbitrary directories via a ../ (dot dot slash) in the file parameter in a chdir action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/09/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-5028 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the SWsoft Plesk control panel version 7.5 Reload and 7.6 for Microsoft Windows. This security weakness specifically affects the filemanager/filemanager.php component, which serves as a file management interface for administrators and users within the Plesk environment. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization of user-supplied parameters, particularly the file parameter used in chdir actions. Attackers can exploit this flaw by crafting malicious requests containing ../ sequences that manipulate the file parameter to traverse directories outside the intended scope. This allows unauthorized access to arbitrary directories on the server filesystem, potentially exposing sensitive configuration files, user data, and system resources that should remain protected.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The flaw occurs when the application processes user input without adequate validation, allowing attackers to manipulate directory paths through special characters like the dot-dot-slash sequence. In the context of Plesk, this vulnerability enables attackers to bypass normal access controls and potentially gain access to files outside the designated web root or user directory boundaries. The chdir action specifically refers to changing the current working directory, making this attack vector particularly dangerous as it can be used to navigate through the entire filesystem hierarchy rather than being limited to a specific directory.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial for organizations using affected Plesk versions, as it provides attackers with unauthorized access to sensitive system information and potentially allows for further exploitation. An attacker could use this vulnerability to enumerate directories, access configuration files containing database credentials or encryption keys, and potentially read or modify system files. The attack surface is particularly concerning because Plesk serves as a comprehensive web hosting control panel, meaning that successful exploitation could provide access to multiple customer accounts, server configurations, and potentially lead to privilege escalation or lateral movement within the network. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and can result in complete system compromise if attackers can leverage additional weaknesses in the environment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-5028 should focus on immediate patching of affected Plesk installations to the latest available versions that contain proper input validation and sanitization. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of Plesk management interfaces to trusted networks only. Additionally, monitoring for suspicious directory traversal attempts and implementing web application firewalls with rules specifically designed to detect and block path traversal attacks can provide additional layers of protection. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1083 - File and Directory Discovery, as attackers would use this technique to explore the file system. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive audits of all web applications and control panels to identify similar input validation weaknesses that could be exploited in similar fashion. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to ensure that such directory traversal vulnerabilities are identified and remediated before they can be exploited by malicious actors.