CVE-2011-2152 in SmarterStats
Summary
by MITRE
The SmarterTools SmarterStats 6.0 web server generates web pages containing external links in response to GET requests with query strings for (1) Client/frmViewReports.aspx or (2) UserControls/Popups/frmHelp.aspx, which makes it easier for remote attackers to obtain sensitive information by reading (a) web-server access logs or (b) web-server Referer logs, related to a "cross-domain Referer leakage" issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/02/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-2152 affects SmarterTools SmarterStats 6.0 web server implementations and represents a significant information disclosure flaw that leverages cross-domain referer leakage mechanisms. This vulnerability specifically manifests when the web server processes GET requests containing query strings directed toward two distinct endpoints: Client/frmViewReports.aspx and UserControls/Popups/frmHelp.aspx. The flaw arises from the server's improper handling of referer headers and external link generation, creating an avenue for attackers to exploit the server's logging mechanisms to extract sensitive information. The vulnerability falls under the category of information disclosure issues that can be categorized under CWE-200, which specifically addresses "Information Exposure" and more precisely aligns with CWE-310, "Cryptographic Issues" and CWE-209, "Information Exposure Through an Error Message" in its operational context. The attack vector operates through the manipulation of HTTP Referer headers, which are automatically included by web browsers when navigating from one page to another, making this a client-side tracking mechanism that becomes problematic when external domains are involved.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the web server's generation of web pages that contain external links without proper sanitization or validation of the referer information. When users navigate to the affected pages through external domains, the server logs contain the referer information which includes the complete URL path and potentially sensitive data from the external domain. This creates a scenario where an attacker can craft malicious requests that cause the server to generate pages with external links pointing to attacker-controlled domains, thereby enabling the extraction of sensitive information from server logs. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the web server level and leverages standard HTTP header mechanisms that are typically not considered security risks. The operational impact extends beyond simple information disclosure as it can lead to the exposure of user session information, internal network paths, and potentially sensitive business data that might be embedded within the referer headers or the URLs that are generated and logged. This vulnerability directly relates to ATT&CK technique T1071.004, "Application Layer Protocol: DNS," and T1082, "System Information Discovery," as it enables adversaries to gather information about system configurations and user activities through the analysis of server logs.
The practical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to understand the server's response behavior and craft specific GET requests that will trigger the problematic code path. When the server processes requests to the affected endpoints, it generates pages containing external links that are designed to leak referer information to external domains. This leakage occurs because the server does not properly sanitize the referer information or validate the external links before including them in the generated web pages. The impact on system security is substantial as it allows for passive information gathering without requiring direct system access or complex attack vectors. Organizations running SmarterStats 6.0 are particularly vulnerable because the issue exists in the core web server functionality and affects multiple user-facing pages. The vulnerability is further exacerbated by the fact that web server access logs and referer logs are typically maintained for legitimate operational purposes, making the information disclosure less obvious and harder to detect. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited over extended periods without immediate detection, potentially allowing attackers to gather extensive information about user behavior and system configurations through careful analysis of the server logs. The flaw demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and output encoding in web applications, as highlighted by OWASP Top 10 categories and the broader principles of secure coding practices that should be implemented to prevent cross-domain information leakage scenarios.