CVE-2011-2158 in SmarterStats
Summary
by MITRE
The SmarterTools SmarterStats 6.0 web server sends incorrect Content-Type headers for certain resources, which might allow remote attackers to have an unspecified impact by leveraging an interpretation conflict involving (1) Admin/frmSite.aspx, (2) Admin/frmSites.aspx, (3) Admin/frmViewReports.aspx, (4) App_Themes/AboutThisFolder.txt, (5) Client/frmViewReports.aspx, (6) Temp/AboutThisFolder.txt, (7) default.aspx, (8) login.aspx, or (9) certain .jpg URIs under Temp/. NOTE: it is possible that only clients, not the SmarterStats product, could be affected by this issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/02/2024
The CVE-2011-2158 vulnerability resides within the SmarterTools SmarterStats 6.0 web server implementation where incorrect Content-Type headers are transmitted for specific resource files. This flaw manifests in the server's inability to properly identify and deliver content type information for various administrative and user interface components, including administrative pages such as Admin/frmSite.aspx, Admin/frmSites.aspx, and Admin/frmViewReports.aspx, alongside theme files like App_Themes/AboutThisFolder.txt and temporary files including Temp/AboutThisFolder.txt. The vulnerability extends to default application pages including default.aspx and login.aspx, as well as specific image resources under the Temp/ directory with .jpg extensions. This improper header handling creates an interpretation conflict between the web server and client applications, potentially enabling remote attackers to exploit this inconsistency.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-693, which addresses protection mechanism failures in web applications, and represents a specific instance of improper content type handling that can lead to security implications. The incorrect Content-Type headers can cause web browsers and other HTTP clients to misinterpret the nature of the delivered content, potentially leading to unexpected behavior in how resources are processed and executed. When browsers receive malformed or incorrect Content-Type headers, they may fall back to heuristic content detection methods that could inadvertently execute scripts or render content in unintended ways. This interpretation conflict creates potential attack vectors where malicious actors could manipulate how the browser handles specific resources, potentially enabling cross-site scripting attacks or other client-side exploitation techniques.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple content delivery issues, as it creates an environment where client applications may behave unpredictably when processing the affected resources. The potential for unspecified impact suggests that different client implementations could respond differently to the incorrect headers, creating a range of possible security consequences. This variability in client behavior makes the vulnerability particularly concerning as it may be exploitable in different ways depending on the user's browser configuration, security settings, or installed security extensions. The fact that the vulnerability affects both administrative interfaces and user-facing pages means that both legitimate users and potential attackers could be impacted by the incorrect header delivery, potentially creating scenarios where unauthorized access or data manipulation becomes possible.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-2158 should focus on correcting the Content-Type header implementation within the SmarterStats 6.0 web server configuration. Organizations should ensure that all web resources properly declare their content types according to RFC 2616 and subsequent HTTP specifications, with particular attention to administrative pages, theme files, and temporary directories. The recommended approach involves implementing proper MIME type detection and header generation for all file extensions, including .aspx, .txt, .jpg, and other resource types. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can monitor and correct header inconsistencies in real-time, as well as conducting thorough testing of the application's response to various client configurations to ensure that the vulnerability is fully resolved. Additionally, organizations should review their deployment practices to ensure that future updates and patches properly address content type handling, following established security practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and other industry standards for secure web application development and deployment.