CVE-2014-5302 in ServiceDesk Plus MSP
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in ServiceDesk Plus and Plus MSP v5 through v9.0 v9030; AssetExplorer v4 to v6.1; SupportCenter v5 to v7.9; IT360 v8 to v10.4 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/13/2024
This vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal flaw affecting multiple proprietary software products from ManageEngine including ServiceDesk Plus, AssetExplorer, SupportCenter, and IT360 across their respective version ranges. The vulnerability exists in the handling of file paths and user input processing within these applications, allowing authenticated attackers to manipulate directory navigation sequences and access restricted system resources. The flaw enables attackers to traverse the file system beyond intended boundaries and potentially execute arbitrary code on the underlying operating system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization of user-supplied parameters that are used in file system operations. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious requests that contain directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ which bypass normal access controls. This weakness allows unauthorized file access, modification, or execution of system commands, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects versions from ServiceDesk Plus v5 through v9.0 v9030, AssetExplorer v4 to v6.1, SupportCenter v5 to v7.9, and IT360 v8 to v10.4, indicating a widespread issue across multiple product lines that share common codebases or architectural patterns.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it allows authenticated attackers to escalate privileges and gain unauthorized access to sensitive system resources. Once exploited, attackers can read confidential files, modify system configurations, install malware, or establish persistent backdoors. This type of vulnerability directly violates security principles of least privilege and input validation, creating a significant risk for organizations relying on these applications for critical business operations. The remote execution capability means attackers do not need physical access to the systems, making the attack surface much broader.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided patches and updates released for these specific versions. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit the scope of potential exploitation. Input validation should be enhanced at all application layers, and proper file system access controls should be enforced. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 Directory Traversal and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter, as it enables arbitrary code execution. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other applications, while monitoring for suspicious file access patterns and system behavior should be implemented to detect potential exploitation attempts.