CVE-2008-0474 in Applications Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in ManageEngine Applications Manager 8.1 build 8100 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) showlink parameter to jsp/DiscoveryProfiles.jsp; the (2) attributeIDs, (3) attributeToSelect, (4) redirectto, and (5) resourceid parameters to (a) jsp/ThresholdActionConfiguration.jsp; the (6) page and (7) redirect parameters to (b) jsp/UpdateGlobalSettings.jsp; and the (8) haid and (9) returnpath parameters to (c) showTile.do. NOTE: the provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained solely from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/04/2025
The vulnerability CVE-2008-0474 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting ManageEngine Applications Manager version 8.1 build 8100, classified under CWE-79 as improper neutralization of input during web page generation. This vulnerability stems from insufficient validation and sanitization of user-supplied input parameters within multiple.jsp files, creating persistent entry points for malicious script injection attacks that can compromise the integrity of web applications and user sessions.
The technical exploitation occurs through multiple attack vectors within the application's web interface, specifically targeting parameters in five distinct.jsp endpoints. The first vector involves the showlink parameter in jsp/DiscoveryProfiles.jsp, while the second through fifth vectors target attributeIDs, attributeToSelect, redirectto, and resourceid parameters within jsp/ThresholdActionConfiguration.jsp. Additional attack surfaces include the page and redirect parameters in jsp/UpdateGlobalSettings.jsp, and finally the haid and returnpath parameters in showTile.do. These parameters fail to properly sanitize input, allowing attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that executes in the context of authenticated users' browsers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, creating potential for session hijacking, credential theft, and unauthorized administrative actions within the ManageEngine environment. Attackers can leverage these XSS flaws to execute persistent malicious code that can redirect users to phishing sites, steal session cookies, or perform actions on behalf of legitimate users with their privileges. The vulnerability affects the application's configuration management and monitoring capabilities, potentially compromising the integrity of system monitoring data and operational visibility. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531 for 'Modify System Image' and T1059.007 for 'Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript', demonstrating how attackers can exploit web application flaws to establish persistent access and execute malicious payloads.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms across all user-supplied parameters. Organizations should deploy web application firewalls to filter malicious payloads, enforce strict parameter validation within the application code, and implement content security policies to prevent unauthorized script execution. Regular security assessments and code reviews should specifically target parameter handling in web interfaces, with immediate patching recommended upon vendor availability. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input sanitization in web applications and aligns with OWASP Top Ten 2017 category A03: Injection, emphasizing the need for proper parameter validation and secure coding practices throughout the development lifecycle.