CVE-2008-1566 in Applications Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Search.do in ManageEngine Applications Manager 8.x allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the query parameter. 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 • 11/17/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-1566 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within ManageEngine Applications Manager version 8.x, specifically affecting the Search.do component. This issue falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-79 which defines insecure direct object references and improper neutralization of input during web page generation. The vulnerability exists in the web application's search functionality where user input is not properly sanitized before being processed and returned to other users. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious payloads through the query parameter of the Search.do endpoint, enabling them to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content into the application's response.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the Applications Manager web interface. When the application processes search queries through the query parameter without proper sanitization, it fails to neutralize potentially malicious content that could contain script tags, event handlers, or other HTML elements designed to execute code in the context of other users' browsers. This flaw allows attackers to bypass the application's security controls and execute unauthorized commands in the victim's browser environment, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where multiple users interact with the same management platform.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-1566 extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it provides attackers with a persistent vector for executing more sophisticated attacks within the target environment. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, modify application content, or even execute arbitrary commands on behalf of authenticated users. Given that ManageEngine Applications Manager is used for monitoring and managing enterprise IT infrastructure, this vulnerability could provide attackers with access to critical system information and potentially escalate to full system compromise. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it affects the core search functionality that administrators and users frequently interact with, making the exploitation relatively straightforward and highly effective.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should encompass both immediate defensive measures and long-term architectural improvements. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent malicious content from being processed or displayed. The recommended approach includes sanitizing all user-supplied input through whitelisting techniques, implementing proper HTML escaping for dynamic content, and deploying web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious payloads. Additionally, the affected ManageEngine Applications Manager version 8.x should be updated to the latest available patch or upgraded to a supported version that addresses this specific XSS vulnerability. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous search queries and potential exploitation attempts, while regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the application stack. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.007 for Scripting and T1566.001 for Phishing, highlighting the multi-stage nature of attacks that can leverage such weaknesses to establish persistent access within enterprise environments.