CVE-2011-2153 in SmarterStats
Summary
by MITRE
Login.aspx in the SmarterTools SmarterStats 6.0 web server supports URLs containing txtUser and txtPass parameters in the query string, which makes it easier for context-dependent attackers to discover credentials by reading (1) web-server access logs, (2) web-server Referer logs, or (3) the browser history, 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-2011-2153 affects the SmarterTools SmarterStats 6.0 web server implementation and specifically targets the Login.aspx page functionality. This issue represents a classic case of insecure credential handling where authentication parameters are transmitted through URL query strings rather than secure POST methods. The flaw stems from the application's design decision to accept user credentials through txtUser and txtPass parameters embedded directly in the URL, creating a fundamental security weakness that exposes sensitive authentication data to various attack vectors.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability relies on the inherent properties of web server logging mechanisms and browser behavior patterns. When authentication credentials are passed through URL parameters, they become permanently visible in multiple locations including web server access logs, which are typically maintained for security auditing and performance monitoring purposes. Additionally, the Referer header field that browsers automatically include in HTTP requests can inadvertently leak these credentials when users navigate from one domain to another, creating what is known as cross-domain Referer leakage. This leakage occurs because the Referer header contains the full URL including query parameters, making it possible for malicious actors to harvest credentials from web server logs or by monitoring network traffic between domains.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure to encompass broader security implications for organizations using the affected software. The presence of credentials in server logs creates a persistent attack surface that remains accessible even after the initial authentication attempt. Security professionals and malicious actors alike can extract these credentials from access logs without requiring any special tools or techniques, simply by examining log files that are typically maintained for legitimate operational purposes. The browser history aspect further compounds the risk since users may inadvertently expose their credentials when navigating between domains or when using browser features that display history.
This vulnerability aligns with multiple CWE classifications including CWE-200 Information Exposure, CWE-312 Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information, and CWE-313 Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information in Browser History. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this issue maps to T1566 Credential Access through the technique of credential dumping from logs and T1562 Impair Defenses by potentially exposing authentication mechanisms to unauthorized parties. The vulnerability also demonstrates characteristics of T1185 Man in the Middle attacks where network monitoring can capture credentials, and T1071 Application Layer Protocol where HTTP traffic is analyzed for sensitive information.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including immediate software updates to the latest versions of SmarterStats that address this credential handling issue, proper configuration of web server logging to exclude sensitive parameter information from logs, and implementation of secure authentication mechanisms that utilize POST requests with encrypted payloads. Network administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls to filter out URLs containing credential parameters and establish proper access controls for log files containing potentially sensitive information. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of proper input validation and secure coding practices, particularly in authentication mechanisms where credential exposure can have severe consequences for organizational security posture.