CVE-2011-4733 in Plesk Panel
Summary
by MITRE
The Server Administration Panel in Parallels Plesk Panel 10.2.0_build1011110331.18 sends incorrect Content-Type headers for certain resources, which might allow remote attackers to have an unspecified impact by leveraging an interpretation conflict involving smb/admin-home/disable-featured-applications-promo and certain other files. NOTE: it is possible that only clients, not the Plesk product, could be affected by this issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/28/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-4733 affects the Server Administration Panel within Parallels Plesk Panel version 10.2.0_build101110331.18, specifically targeting the improper handling of Content-Type headers for certain administrative resources. This issue stems from the application's failure to correctly specify MIME types for web content, creating a potential vector for exploitation through interpretation conflicts. The affected endpoint smb/admin-home/disable-featured-applications-promo represents one of several files where this header misconfiguration occurs, potentially allowing unauthorized parties to manipulate how the browser interprets and processes the received content.
The technical flaw manifests as a misconfiguration in the HTTP response headers where the Content-Type field is either omitted, incorrectly specified, or contains conflicting information for specific administrative resources. This misconfiguration creates an environment where remote attackers can potentially exploit browser interpretation mechanisms to execute unintended operations or access restricted functionality. The vulnerability's impact remains unspecified but could potentially enable attackers to perform actions such as cross-site scripting attacks, content injection, or other malicious activities that rely on proper MIME type handling. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-1004 which addresses improper handling of HTTP headers and specifically mentions issues related to Content-Type header manipulation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it could potentially allow attackers to manipulate administrative functions within the Plesk panel. When browsers receive improperly formatted Content-Type headers, they may attempt to execute content in unintended ways, creating opportunities for exploitation. The fact that this issue may only affect clients rather than the Plesk product itself suggests the vulnerability primarily impacts the user's browser environment rather than the server-side application, though this distinction is crucial for proper risk assessment. Attackers could potentially leverage this weakness to bypass security controls or gain unauthorized access to administrative functions through carefully crafted requests that exploit the browser's content interpretation behavior.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on ensuring proper Content-Type header implementation across all administrative resources within the Plesk panel. System administrators should verify that all web resources return appropriate MIME type information in their HTTP responses, with particular attention to administrative endpoints. The recommended approach includes implementing strict header validation mechanisms and ensuring that all content served from the Plesk panel includes properly defined Content-Type headers. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and prevent malformed header requests, as well as conducting regular security assessments of administrative interfaces. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper HTTP header implementation and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 which covers Exploit Public-Facing Application, emphasizing the need for robust input validation and header management in web applications. The issue highlights the necessity of maintaining secure coding practices and proper HTTP response handling, particularly in administrative interfaces where privilege escalation opportunities exist.