CVE-2010-3272 in ADSelfService Plus
Summary
by MITRE
accounts/ValidateAnswers in the security-questions implementation in ZOHO ManageEngine ADSelfService Plus before 4.5 Build 4500 makes it easier for remote attackers to reset user passwords, and consequently obtain access to arbitrary user accounts, via a modified (1) Hide_Captcha or (2) quesList parameter in a validateAll action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/21/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2010-3272 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw within ZOHO ManageEngine ADSelfService Plus version 4.5 Build 4500 and earlier. This security weakness resides in the accounts/ValidateAnswers component of the security questions implementation, which is designed to verify user responses before allowing password reset operations. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and parameter handling mechanisms that fail to properly authenticate the legitimacy of submitted security question responses.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of two specific parameters within the validateAll action: Hide_Captcha and quesList. Attackers can modify these parameters to bypass the security question validation process entirely, effectively circumventing the multi-factor authentication controls that should prevent unauthorized password resets. The vulnerability allows remote attackers to exploit this weakness without requiring prior authentication or access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where such services are exposed to external traffic.
This flaw directly impacts the principle of least privilege and authentication integrity by enabling unauthorized access to arbitrary user accounts within the managed environment. The operational impact extends beyond simple password reset capabilities, as successful exploitation can lead to complete account compromise and potential lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability essentially undermines the entire security question-based authentication mechanism that organizations rely upon to protect user accounts from unauthorized access attempts.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication issues, and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1566 for credential access through social engineering. Organizations using affected versions of ADSelfService Plus face significant risk of unauthorized account access, data breaches, and potential compromise of sensitive organizational information. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can leverage it from any location with network access to the affected service, without requiring physical presence or insider knowledge.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate deployment of the patched version 4.5 Build 4500 or later, which addresses the parameter validation issues in the accounts/ValidateAnswers component. Organizations should also implement additional security controls such as rate limiting for authentication attempts, enhanced monitoring of password reset activities, and network segmentation to limit exposure of critical authentication services. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify other potential parameter manipulation vulnerabilities within similar authentication systems and consider implementing additional authentication layers beyond security questions. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and parameter handling in authentication systems, reinforcing the need for comprehensive security testing of all authentication mechanisms.