CVE-2006-2343 in ManageEngine OpManager
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Search.do in ManageEngine OpManager 6.0 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the searchTerm parameter. NOTE: the provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/21/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-2343 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within ManageEngine OpManager 6.0's Search.do component. This vulnerability specifically affects the searchTerm parameter handling mechanism, creating a pathway for remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code within the context of affected user sessions. The flaw exists in the web application's input validation and output encoding processes, where user-supplied search terms are not properly sanitized before being rendered back to users. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, representing one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security weaknesses identified by the CWE community.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious searchTerm parameter containing embedded script code that gets executed in the victim's browser when the search results are displayed. The vulnerability is classified as a reflected XSS attack since the malicious script is reflected off the web server and executed in the user's browser without being stored on the server. Attackers can leverage this weakness to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, redirect victims to malicious websites, or even execute arbitrary commands within the browser context. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires no privileged access or authentication, making it highly exploitable in environments where users interact with the OpManager interface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can compromise the entire security posture of systems managed by ManageEngine OpManager. When exploited successfully, the vulnerability allows attackers to hijack user sessions, potentially gaining access to sensitive network monitoring data, configuration information, and administrative controls within the OpManager environment. The implications are particularly severe in enterprise settings where OpManager is used for critical network infrastructure monitoring, as attackers could gain visibility into network operations, identify security gaps, and potentially escalate privileges to gain deeper access to the underlying network infrastructure. This vulnerability also undermines the trust model of the application, as users may unknowingly execute malicious code while performing routine search operations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The primary defense involves sanitizing all user input parameters, particularly the searchTerm parameter, by removing or encoding potentially dangerous characters such as angle brackets, script tags, and javascript protocols. Organizations should implement proper content security policies and utilize frameworks that automatically escape output to prevent XSS attacks. Additionally, regular security updates and patches should be applied to maintain the application's security posture, as this vulnerability was likely addressed in subsequent versions of ManageEngine OpManager. The remediation process should also include security awareness training for administrators to recognize and respond to potential XSS attack vectors, while implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious requests targeting this specific vulnerability. This approach aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 which covers scripting through command-line interfaces, emphasizing the importance of input validation and output sanitization in preventing code injection attacks.