CVE-2013-4878 in Plesk Panel
Summary
by MITRE
The default configuration of Parallels Plesk Panel 9.0.x and 9.2.x on UNIX, and Small Business Panel 10.x on UNIX, has an improper ScriptAlias directive for phppath, which makes it easier for remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted request, a different vulnerability than CVE-2012-1823.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/31/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-4878 affects Parallels Plesk Panel versions 9.0.x and 9.2.x on UNIX systems, as well as Small Business Panel 10.x on UNIX platforms. This security flaw stems from an improper ScriptAlias directive configuration that creates an exploitable condition within the web server configuration. The issue specifically impacts the phppath ScriptAlias directive, which is responsible for mapping URLs to PHP execution paths within the web server environment. When configured incorrectly, this directive can expose PHP processing capabilities to unauthorized remote access, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on the affected systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the misconfiguration of Apache web server directives within the Plesk Panel environment. The ScriptAlias directive is designed to map specific URL paths to executable scripts or binaries, but in the affected versions, the phppath configuration fails to properly restrict access to PHP processing capabilities. This misconfiguration allows attackers to craft specially formatted requests that can bypass normal access controls and invoke PHP execution directly through the web interface. The vulnerability operates at the web server configuration level rather than the application logic level, making it particularly dangerous as it leverages the underlying web server's processing capabilities rather than exploiting application-specific flaws.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to organizations using affected Plesk Panel versions as it provides remote code execution capabilities without requiring authentication. Attackers can leverage this weakness to execute malicious code on the server, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or the establishment of persistent backdoors. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond individual server compromise as it can be used to pivot into larger network environments, especially when Plesk Panel serves as a hosting platform for multiple customer websites. This makes the vulnerability particularly concerning for web hosting providers and businesses that rely on Plesk Panel for managing their web hosting infrastructure.
The security implications of CVE-2013-4878 align with CWE-22 (Improper Limiting of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory) and CWE-74 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component) categories, reflecting the improper handling of pathnames and the potential for code injection through web server misconfigurations. This vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: Python) and T1059.008 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell) within the MITRE ATT&CK framework, as attackers can leverage the exposed PHP execution capabilities to run arbitrary commands on the compromised systems. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions of Plesk Panel, correcting the ScriptAlias directive configurations, and implementing network-level restrictions to limit access to the affected web server components.
The vulnerability represents a classic example of how default configurations in enterprise software can create security risks when not properly reviewed and hardened. The issue demonstrates the importance of proper security hardening practices and regular configuration reviews, particularly for critical infrastructure components like web hosting panels that serve multiple customers and applications. Organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their Plesk Panel installations to identify and remediate similar misconfigurations that could expose their systems to remote code execution attacks. The remediation process requires careful attention to the web server configuration files and may involve working with Plesk support to ensure proper implementation of security patches while maintaining service availability during the update process.