CVE-2011-4741 in Plesk Panel
Summary
by MITRE
The Control Panel in Parallels Plesk Panel 10.2.0 build 20110407.20 includes a database connection string within a web page, which allows remote attackers to obtain potentially sensitive information by reading this page, as demonstrated by client@2/domain@1/hosting/aspdotnet/.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-4741 resides within the Control Panel interface of Parallels Plesk Panel version 10.2.0 build 20110407.20, representing a critical information disclosure flaw that exposes database connection credentials through web page content. This vulnerability specifically manifests when attackers access certain control panel paths such as client2/domain1/hosting/aspdotnet/, where sensitive database connection strings are embedded within web page source code, making them accessible to unauthorized users. The flaw fundamentally stems from improper input validation and output encoding practices within the web application's rendering process, where configuration data intended for internal system use is directly exposed to external web requests without adequate sanitization or access control measures.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through simple web page enumeration and content inspection techniques, where remote attackers can retrieve database connection strings containing username, password, and host information directly from the HTML source of specific control panel pages. This exposure creates a significant security risk as the database credentials can be used to establish unauthorized database connections, potentially leading to data exfiltration, database manipulation, or further lateral movement within the compromised environment. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which categorizes information exposure flaws, and represents a classic example of insecure direct object references combined with improper output handling, making it particularly dangerous in environments where database credentials contain elevated privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the exposed database connection strings can enable attackers to perform unauthorized database operations, access sensitive customer data, modify hosting configurations, or even escalate privileges within the Plesk environment. This flaw particularly affects web hosting providers using Parallels Plesk Panel, where multiple clients share the same control panel infrastructure, potentially allowing an attacker to compromise multiple customer accounts through a single successful exploitation. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it requires no authentication to exploit, making it a serious concern for shared hosting environments and managed service providers.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including restricting access to sensitive control panel paths through web application firewalls, disabling or removing unnecessary control panel features, and ensuring proper input validation and output encoding practices are implemented throughout the application. System administrators should also consider implementing database connection string encryption, regular security auditing of web application configurations, and monitoring for unauthorized access attempts to control panel interfaces. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers credential access through exposed credentials in web applications, emphasizing the need for proper access controls and information protection mechanisms in web-based management interfaces.