CVE-2011-4725 in Plesk Panel
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in the Server Administration Panel in Parallels Plesk Panel 10.2.0_build1011110331.18 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via crafted input to a PHP script, as demonstrated by login_up.php3 and certain other files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/18/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-4725 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Server Administration Panel of Parallels Plesk Panel version 10.2.0_build101110331.18. This vulnerability exists in the administrative interface components that handle user authentication and system management operations. The flaw allows remote attackers to inject malicious SQL commands through specially crafted input parameters, potentially compromising the entire hosting infrastructure managed by the affected panel. The vulnerability specifically targets PHP scripts including login_up.php3 and other administrative endpoints that process user input without proper sanitization or validation mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and improper parameter handling within the authentication and administrative scripts. When users submit login credentials or other administrative data through the affected PHP endpoints, the application fails to properly escape or sanitize the input before incorporating it into SQL query constructs. This creates an exploitable condition where malicious actors can manipulate the SQL query execution flow by injecting SQL syntax elements such as UNION statements, comment markers, or other SQL injection payloads. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires no prior authentication to exploit, making it particularly dangerous for systems where administrative access can lead to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-4725 extends far beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation can provide attackers with complete administrative control over the affected Plesk panel instance. Attackers can execute arbitrary SQL commands to extract sensitive information including user credentials, database contents, server configurations, and potentially gain access to underlying hosting infrastructure. The vulnerability enables privilege escalation attacks where attackers can elevate their access levels within the system, and may also facilitate lateral movement to other systems within the network that share the same database backend. Given that Plesk panels often manage multiple customer accounts and domains, a successful exploitation could result in widespread compromise affecting numerous websites and user data. This vulnerability directly aligns with CWE-89 which categorizes SQL injection flaws and maps to ATT&CK techniques including T1078 for valid accounts and T1046 for remote service enumeration.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of several security measures including applying the official security patches provided by Parallels, implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries, and conducting comprehensive security audits of all administrative interfaces. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to administrative panels, deploy web application firewalls to detect and block SQL injection attempts, and establish robust monitoring systems to identify suspicious database activities. Regular security assessments of administrative interfaces and input validation mechanisms are essential to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in the future. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices and proper input sanitization in web applications, particularly those handling sensitive administrative functions that could provide attackers with elevated privileges within hosting environments.