CVE-2011-4752 in SmarterStats
Summary
by MITRE
SmarterTools SmarterStats 6.2.4100 sends incorrect Content-Type headers for certain resources, which might allow remote attackers to have an unspecified impact by leveraging an interpretation conflict involving frmCustomReport.aspx and certain other files. NOTE: it is possible that only clients, not the SmarterStats product, could be affected by this issue.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/13/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-4752 affects SmarterTools SmarterStats version 6.2.4100, where the application improperly handles Content-Type headers for specific resources. This flaw stems from a misconfiguration in how the web server responds to requests for certain files, particularly those related to the frmCustomReport.aspx component and associated resources. The incorrect Content-Type header transmission creates an interpretation conflict that can be exploited by remote attackers to manipulate how browsers and other clients process the received data. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of improper header handling, which is commonly associated with CWE-676, where the use of dangerous functions or improper handling of data can lead to unexpected behavior in client applications. The issue represents a significant security concern because it allows attackers to potentially influence how web browsers interpret and execute content, creating opportunities for cross-site scripting or other injection attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple content delivery issues, as it creates a potential attack vector for remote code execution or data manipulation. When browsers receive incorrect Content-Type headers, they may interpret HTML content as JavaScript or other executable code, leading to potential exploitation through cross-site scripting attacks. The vulnerability's scope is particularly concerning because it affects the reporting functionality of SmarterStats, which typically handles sensitive user data and analytics information. Attackers could potentially leverage this flaw to inject malicious scripts into reports or manipulate how data is displayed to users, creating opportunities for data exfiltration or unauthorized access to system resources. The issue's classification aligns with ATT&CK technique T1211, where adversaries manipulate application behavior through content type manipulation to execute malicious code or gain unauthorized access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the web application's response handling mechanism where specific resources are served without proper Content-Type headers, or with headers that conflict with the actual content being delivered. This misconfiguration typically occurs when the application fails to properly validate or set the Content-Type header for dynamically generated content, particularly in report generation modules. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it affects a web application that likely handles sensitive user data, making it attractive to attackers seeking to exploit the system for data theft or further compromise. The potential for client-side exploitation means that any user interacting with the affected SmarterStats application could be vulnerable, particularly if they are using browsers that are susceptible to interpretation conflicts when Content-Type headers are improperly set. Organizations using this version of SmarterStats should consider implementing immediate mitigations including proper header configuration, input validation, and potentially disabling the affected reporting functionality until a patch is applied. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper web application security configuration and the need for regular security assessments to identify similar issues in other components of the application stack.
The root cause of this vulnerability demonstrates a common weakness in web application development where security considerations are not properly integrated into the application's response handling mechanisms. The improper Content-Type header handling represents a failure in the application's security posture and could be addressed through proper implementation of security headers, content security policies, and regular security testing procedures. Organizations should ensure that all web applications properly implement Content-Type header validation and that response headers are consistent with the actual content being served. This vulnerability also underscores the importance of keeping web applications updated with the latest security patches, as the affected version of SmarterStats likely contained other unpatched vulnerabilities that could be exploited in combination with this issue. The potential for this vulnerability to be exploited in conjunction with other flaws makes it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple applications are running on the same infrastructure.