CVE-2011-2150 in SmarterStats
Summary
by MITRE
The SmarterTools SmarterStats 6.0 web server does not properly validate string data that is intended for storage in an XML document, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (parsing error and daemon pause) via vectors involving (1) certain cookies in a SiteInfoLookup action to Admin/frmSites.aspx, or certain (2) cookies or (3) parameters to (a) Client/frmViewOverviewReport.aspx, (b) Client/frmViewReports.aspx, or (c) Services/SiteAdmin.asmx, as demonstrated by a ]]>> string, related to an "XML injection" issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/02/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-2150 resides within the SmarterTools SmarterStats 6.0 web application, specifically manifesting as an inadequate input validation mechanism for string data destined for XML document storage. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that enables remote attackers to exploit the application's XML parsing functionality through crafted malicious input. The vulnerability affects multiple endpoints within the application's administrative interface, including SiteInfoLookup actions in Admin/frmSites.aspx and various reporting pages such as Client/frmViewOverviewReport.aspx, Client/frmViewReports.aspx, and Services/SiteAdmin.asmx web services. The exploitation technique leverages XML injection principles where attackers can manipulate input parameters to disrupt the XML parser's normal operation, leading to system instability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly sanitize or escape user-controllable string inputs before incorporating them into XML documents. When the web server processes these inputs, it does not adequately validate or filter characters that could interfere with XML syntax structure, particularly sequences that could cause parsing errors or malformed XML constructs. The specific demonstration involves the use of a ]]>> string pattern which serves as a well-known XML injection vector that can terminate CDATA sections or disrupt XML parsing mechanisms. This particular string sequence exploits the fundamental XML parsing behavior where ]] represents the end of a CDATA section, and the additional > character can cause the parser to encounter unexpected syntax, resulting in parsing failures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially compromise the availability and stability of the entire SmarterStats web server daemon. When exploited, the vulnerability causes the XML parser to encounter parsing errors that force the daemon to pause or terminate, effectively denying legitimate users access to the application's administrative features. This disruption affects critical administrative functions including site management, reporting capabilities, and system monitoring features. The vulnerability's reach is significant as it affects multiple administrative endpoints within the application, providing attackers with various attack vectors to achieve the same denial of service outcome. The persistence of the daemon pause indicates that the vulnerability may require manual intervention to restore normal service operations.
From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-94, which describes "Improper Control of Generation of Code" and specifically relates to XML injection flaws that occur when user input is directly incorporated into XML documents without proper validation or sanitization. The attack pattern corresponds to techniques documented in the ATT&CK framework under the T1211 category of "Exploitation for Defense Evasion" and T1499 for "Endpoint Denial of Service" attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic lack of input validation that enables attackers to manipulate application behavior through XML parsing mechanisms. Security practitioners should note that this vulnerability represents a fundamental flaw in the application's data handling process, where user-controllable inputs are not properly filtered before being processed by XML parsers. The attack vector's accessibility through cookies and parameters indicates that the vulnerability could be exploited through various means including web browser interactions, automated tools, or manual crafting of malicious requests. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including input validation controls, XML parser hardening, and monitoring for suspicious parsing errors to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability.
The remediation approach for this vulnerability requires comprehensive input validation and sanitization of all user-controllable data that may be processed by XML parsers. Security measures should include implementing proper XML escaping mechanisms, employing parameterized XML queries, and establishing robust input filtering controls that prevent special characters from being interpreted as XML syntax elements. Organizations should also consider implementing application-level firewalls or web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious XML injection patterns. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of validating all user inputs, particularly when these inputs are destined for processing by XML parsers or other structured data handlers. Regular security assessments and code reviews should specifically target XML processing functions to identify similar validation gaps that could lead to comparable denial of service conditions or more severe exploitation outcomes.