CVE-2010-2049 in ADAudit Plus
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in jsp/audit/reports/ExportReport.jsp in ManageEngine ADAudit Plus 4.0.0 build 4043 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the reportList 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 • 09/14/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-2049 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in ManageEngine ADAudit Plus version 4.0.0 build 4043. This security weakness resides within the JSP file ExportReport.jsp, which processes user input through the reportList parameter without adequate sanitization or validation. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically representing a stored XSS variant where malicious scripts can be injected and executed within the context of other users' browsers. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it enables remote exploitation without requiring authentication or privileged access, making it accessible to any attacker who can influence the reportList parameter.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding practices within the application's report generation functionality. When the reportList parameter is processed by ExportReport.jsp, the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamic web content. This allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code or HTML payloads that get executed whenever the affected report is viewed by authenticated users. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that ADAudit Plus is designed for enterprise environments where users frequently generate and share audit reports, creating multiple potential attack surfaces. The flaw essentially creates a persistent XSS condition where malicious code can be stored and executed against unsuspecting users who view the compromised reports, potentially leading to session hijacking, data exfiltration, or further exploitation of the compromised systems.
The operational implications of this vulnerability extend beyond simple script injection, as it can enable sophisticated attack chains that compromise entire enterprise environments. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or inject additional malicious scripts that persist across user sessions. The attack could be particularly devastating in audit and compliance environments where sensitive data is routinely processed and shared. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1566.001 (Phishing via Social Engineering) and T1059.007 (Scripting - JavaScript), as it enables attackers to execute malicious JavaScript code in the context of legitimate users. The vulnerability's presence in a security auditing tool like ADAudit Plus is particularly concerning because it could allow attackers to evade detection mechanisms while simultaneously compromising the integrity of audit trails and security monitoring data. The lack of authentication requirements for exploitation makes this vulnerability especially dangerous in enterprise settings where privileged users regularly access audit reports.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-2049 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected ManageEngine ADAudit Plus version, as this represents the most effective defense against the vulnerability. Organizations should implement proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent the injection of malicious scripts into report parameters. The application should employ Content Security Policy headers to restrict script execution and sanitize all user-supplied input before processing. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect anomalous behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify similar issues in other components of the application stack, as this vulnerability likely represents a broader pattern of insufficient input validation. The remediation process should also include user education about recognizing potential phishing attempts that might leverage such vulnerabilities, while implementing automated scanning tools to monitor for persistent XSS conditions in web applications. Regular security updates and patch management procedures should be enforced to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future versions of the software.