CVE-2011-4847 in Plesk Panel
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the Control Panel in Parallels Plesk Panel 10.4.4_build20111103.18 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via a certificateslist cookie to notification@/.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/13/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-4847 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Parallels Plesk Panel control interface. This vulnerability specifically affects version 10.4.4_build20111103.18 and resides within the notification component of the control panel. The flaw manifests through improper input validation of the certificateslist cookie parameter, which is processed by the notification@/ endpoint. This creates an avenue for remote attackers to inject malicious SQL commands directly into the database layer through carefully crafted cookie values. The vulnerability operates at the application level and demonstrates a classic lack of proper parameter sanitization, allowing attackers to manipulate the underlying database queries that the control panel executes.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows the standard SQL injection attack pattern where malicious input is concatenated into SQL statements without proper sanitization or parameterization. When the certificateslist cookie value is processed by the notification@/ endpoint, it gets directly embedded into database queries without adequate input filtering or escaping mechanisms. This allows attackers to craft cookie values that, when processed, alter the intended SQL query structure and execute arbitrary database commands. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires no authentication, making it a remote code execution vulnerability that can be exploited from any network location. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws, and represents a direct violation of secure coding practices that mandate proper input validation and parameterized queries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted within hosting environments that utilize Parallels Plesk Panel. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can gain unauthorized access to the underlying database containing sensitive customer information, server configurations, and administrative credentials. The potential for data exfiltration, account compromise, and service disruption is significant, as the attacker can read, modify, or delete database records at will. This vulnerability directly affects the integrity and confidentiality of hosting infrastructure, potentially compromising multiple customer accounts and server resources. The exposure of administrative database access through a cookie-based attack vector means that attackers can escalate privileges and gain full control over the hosting environment. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1190 (Exploit Public-Facing Application) and T1071.004 (Application Layer Protocol: DNS) as attackers may leverage the control panel interface to pivot into other systems within the network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-4847 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. The primary recommendation involves applying the official security patch provided by Parallels for the affected Plesk Panel version, which includes proper input validation and sanitization for the certificateslist cookie parameter. Organizations should also implement network-level protections such as web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious cookie values targeting SQL injection patterns. Input validation should be enforced at multiple layers including application-level parameter sanitization, database query parameterization, and cookie value filtering. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous cookie usage patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities within the hosting infrastructure. System administrators should also implement proper access controls and audit logging to track cookie-based access attempts and database query modifications. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that protect against common web application vulnerabilities such as SQL injection.