CVE-2008-0475 in Applications Manager
Summary
by MITRE
ManageEngine Applications Manager 8.1 build 8100 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information ( Home->Summary) via an invalid URI, as demonstrated by the "/-" URI. 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 • 08/04/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-0475 affects ManageEngine Applications Manager version 8.1 build 8100, representing a sensitive information disclosure flaw that could be exploited by remote attackers. This issue manifests through improper handling of URI requests within the application's web interface, specifically when processing invalid or malformed URIs. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it allows unauthorized access to sensitive system information through what appears to be a simple directory traversal or URI manipulation attack vector. The attack demonstrates that the application fails to properly validate or sanitize incoming URI requests, potentially exposing internal system details that should remain protected from external access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and access control mechanisms within the web application's request handling process. When an attacker submits a malformed URI such as the demonstrated "/-" path, the application's processing logic does not properly validate the request structure or enforce appropriate access controls. This failure creates an information disclosure channel that could reveal system configuration details, internal paths, or other sensitive data that would normally be restricted to authorized users or system administrators. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and could potentially be leveraged to gather intelligence for more sophisticated attacks.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations using ManageEngine Applications Manager, as it could enable attackers to gather information that might be used for further exploitation. The disclosed information could include system paths, configuration details, or other data that could aid in crafting more targeted attacks against the application or underlying infrastructure. The remote nature of this vulnerability means that attackers do not require physical access to the system or local network presence to exploit it, making it particularly dangerous. This type of information disclosure vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information to unauthorized actors. The vulnerability could potentially be used as part of a broader attack chain, where initial reconnaissance through information disclosure leads to privilege escalation or other exploitation techniques.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest security patches provided by ManageEngine, implementing proper input validation for URI requests, and configuring access controls to limit exposure of internal system information. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be reviewed to restrict access to the affected application, while monitoring should be implemented to detect anomalous URI access patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper access control implementation and input validation in web applications, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1213 for credential access and T1566 for initial access through malicious inputs. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar validation flaws in other application components, ensuring comprehensive protection against information disclosure vulnerabilities that could compromise system integrity and confidentiality.