CVE-2007-2268 in Plesk
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple directory traversal vulnerabilities in SWsoft Plesk for Windows 7.6.1, 8.1.0, and 8.1.1 allow remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the locale_id parameter to (1) login.php3 or (2) login_up.php3.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/19/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-2268 represents a critical directory traversal flaw affecting SWsoft Plesk for Windows versions 7.6.1, 8.1.0, and 8.1.1. This security weakness stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the authentication handling components of the Plesk control panel. The vulnerability specifically manifests in the login.php3 and login_up.php3 scripts where the locale_id parameter fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to manipulate file access paths through directory traversal sequences.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the locale_id parameter using the .. (dot dot) sequence commonly known as directory traversal or path traversal attacks. When attackers submit crafted requests containing these sequences to the vulnerable endpoints, the application processes these inputs without proper validation, allowing them to navigate outside the intended directory structure and access arbitrary files on the server. This flaw directly maps to CWE-22, which defines the weakness of improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-2268 extends beyond simple file access, as successful exploitation could potentially allow attackers to retrieve sensitive configuration files, database credentials, or other critical system information that could be leveraged for further compromise. The vulnerability affects the authentication process of the Plesk control panel, potentially enabling unauthorized access to administrative functions or exposing sensitive data that should remain protected within the application's intended scope. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability remotely without requiring prior authentication, making it particularly dangerous for web servers hosting Plesk installations.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers Valid Accounts and T1566 which covers Phishing. The vulnerability enables attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms and potentially escalate privileges through information disclosure. Organizations running affected Plesk versions face significant risk of data breaches, as the ability to read arbitrary files could expose database connection strings, administrative credentials, or other sensitive information stored in configuration files. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can target these systems from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access or prior credentials.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-2268 should include immediate patching of the affected Plesk versions to the latest available releases which contain proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms. Organizations should implement proper input validation at all entry points, particularly for parameters that influence file access operations. The implementation of web application firewalls and security monitoring systems can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other components of the web infrastructure. System administrators should also consider implementing least privilege principles and restricting file system access for web applications to minimize the potential impact of such vulnerabilities.