CVE-2007-2269 in Plesk
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in top.php3 in SWsoft Plesk for Windows 8.1 and 8.1.1 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the locale_id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/30/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-2269 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within SWsoft Plesk for Windows version 8.1 and 8.1.1. This security weakness resides in the top.php3 script which processes user input through the locale_id parameter without proper validation or sanitization. The flaw enables malicious actors to manipulate file access paths by exploiting the .. (dot dot) sequence, allowing them to navigate outside the intended directory structure and access sensitive system files that should remain restricted to authorized users. Such vulnerabilities typically arise from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly filter or escape user-supplied data before using it in file system operations. The affected Plesk installation creates an attack surface where remote adversaries can exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to system resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper parameter handling within the web application's file access routines. When the locale_id parameter contains directory traversal sequences such as ../../etc/passwd, the application fails to validate or sanitize the input before using it in file operations. This allows attackers to construct malicious paths that bypass normal access controls and retrieve files from arbitrary locations on the server filesystem. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-22 - Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, which is a well-documented weakness in software applications that fail to properly validate file paths. The flaw operates at the application layer and can be exploited through HTTP requests that manipulate the locale_id parameter, making it particularly dangerous as it requires no special privileges to initiate the attack.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-2269 extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, as attackers can potentially extract sensitive information including system configuration files, database credentials, application source code, and other confidential data. This type of vulnerability can lead to complete system compromise when combined with other attack vectors, as the leaked information can provide attackers with insights into system architecture, user credentials, and application logic. The vulnerability affects web hosting environments where Plesk serves as the control panel, potentially exposing multiple customer accounts and their associated data to unauthorized access. Organizations using this version of Plesk face significant risk of data breaches, regulatory compliance violations, and potential legal consequences due to the exposure of sensitive customer information. The attack can be executed remotely without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous for systems that are accessible over the internet.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of the affected Plesk versions to address the directory traversal flaw. Organizations should implement proper input validation and sanitization measures that filter out or escape special characters including the .. sequence before processing user-supplied data in file operations. The implementation of proper access controls and privilege separation can help limit the damage if exploitation occurs. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be configured to restrict access to the affected web application, while regular security audits should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1083 - File and Directory Discovery, as attackers would use such flaws to enumerate system resources and gather intelligence for further exploitation. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and input validation controls can provide additional layers of protection against similar directory traversal attacks. Regular security updates and vulnerability assessments are essential to maintain protection against known weaknesses in web applications.