CVE-2011-4854 in Plesk Panel
Summary
by MITRE
The Control Panel in Parallels Plesk Panel 10.4.4_build20111103.18 does not ensure that Content-Type HTTP headers match the corresponding Content-Type data in HTML META elements, which might allow remote attackers to have an unspecified impact by leveraging an interpretation conflict involving the get_enabled_product_icon program. 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 • 01/12/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-4854 resides within the Control Panel interface of Parallels Plesk Panel version 10.4.4_build20111103.18, representing a critical security flaw that exploits inconsistencies between HTTP headers and HTML content type declarations. This issue specifically affects the get_enabled_product_icon program which handles the retrieval and display of product icons within the administrative interface. The fundamental problem emerges from the system's failure to validate that Content-Type HTTP headers align with the corresponding Content-Type data specified in HTML META elements, creating a potential vector for malicious exploitation through interpretation conflicts.
The technical flaw manifests as a mismatch between server-sent HTTP headers and client-side HTML declarations, allowing for what cybersecurity researchers classify as a content type confusion attack pattern. This vulnerability falls under the broader category of CWE-16 - Configuration, where improper handling of content type specifications creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate how web browsers interpret and render content. The get_enabled_product_icon program serves as the vulnerable component that processes icon data, and when this program fails to enforce proper content type validation, it creates an environment where attackers can potentially inject malicious content that gets interpreted differently by various browsers due to the conflicting type declarations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple presentation issues, as it could potentially enable remote code execution or cross-site scripting attacks depending on how browsers handle the conflicting content type information. Attackers could leverage this weakness to manipulate how the Control Panel renders visual elements, potentially leading to unauthorized access to administrative functions or data exfiltration. The vulnerability's potential scope is particularly concerning because it affects the core administrative interface of the Plesk platform, which serves as a gateway to managing multiple server functions including web hosting, email services, and database management. According to ATT&CK framework categorization, this vulnerability aligns with T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, as it targets the web interface component that exposes the system to external threats.
The security implications become more severe when considering that this issue might affect client-side systems rather than the Plesk server itself, indicating a potential attack surface that spans both server and client environments. This dual impact scenario means that even if the primary vulnerability exists in the Plesk Control Panel, the exploitation could extend to end-user browsers through malformed content delivery. Organizations using Plesk Panel 10.4.4_build20111103.18 should consider implementing immediate mitigations including disabling the affected icon retrieval functionality, implementing strict content type validation policies, and ensuring proper HTTP header management. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous content delivery patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while regular security updates and patches should be prioritized to address the root cause of this content type validation failure.