CVE-2011-4848 in Plesk Panel
Summary
by MITRE
The Control Panel in Parallels Plesk Panel 10.4.4_build20111103.18 includes a submitted password within an HTTP response body, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information by sniffing the network, as demonstrated by password handling in certain files under client@1/domain@1/backup/local-repository/.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/17/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-4848 resides within the Control Panel interface of Parallels Plesk Panel version 10.4.4_build20111103.18, representing a critical information disclosure flaw that undermines the security posture of web hosting environments. This vulnerability manifests when the system includes password credentials within HTTP response bodies, creating an avenue for attackers to extract sensitive authentication data through network sniffing techniques. The specific attack vector involves the exposure of password handling mechanisms within files located under the client1/domain1/backup/local-repository/ directory structure, where authentication tokens and credentials are transmitted in cleartext within HTTP responses. This weakness directly violates fundamental security principles governing credential handling and network communication security.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and output sanitization within the Plesk Control Panel's web interface components. When users interact with backup management features or other administrative functions, the system fails to properly sanitize authentication data before including it in HTTP response payloads. This flaw creates a scenario where network traffic passing through unencrypted channels or vulnerable network segments becomes susceptible to interception by malicious actors. The vulnerability specifically affects the local repository backup functionality, where password credentials are transmitted without adequate encryption or obfuscation measures. The exposure occurs during normal operational procedures when administrators or automated processes attempt to manage backup configurations, making this attack surface particularly concerning for environments where network monitoring capabilities exist.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-4848 extends beyond simple credential theft, as compromised authentication data can enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to entire hosting accounts and potentially escalate privileges within the Plesk management environment. Network sniffing tools can easily capture these cleartext credentials, allowing attackers to impersonate legitimate users and perform administrative actions including but not limited to modifying website content, creating new user accounts, accessing customer data, and manipulating backup configurations. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in shared hosting environments or multi-tenant cloud infrastructures where a single compromised credential could provide access to multiple customer accounts. This exposure creates a significant risk for organizations relying on Plesk for web hosting management, as it undermines the integrity of the entire control panel ecosystem and potentially compromises the security of associated services.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of network security controls and application-level fixes. Organizations should deploy network segmentation measures to prevent unauthorized network monitoring and implement encrypted communication channels using TLS protocols for all administrative interfaces. The most effective remediation involves upgrading to patched versions of Parallels Plesk Panel that address the credential exposure issue through proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms. Security configurations should enforce mandatory encryption for all administrative communications and implement strict access controls for backup management functions. Additionally, network administrators should monitor for suspicious traffic patterns and implement intrusion detection systems capable of identifying credential exposure attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200 (Information Exposure) and CWE-312 (Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information) classifications, while also mapping to ATT&CK technique T1071.004 (Application Layer Protocol: DNS) and T1566 (Phishing) when considering the broader attack chain implications. Organizations must also conduct thorough security assessments of their Plesk implementations and ensure that all administrative interfaces properly validate and sanitize all user inputs to prevent similar information disclosure vulnerabilities from manifesting in other components of the system.