CVE-2015-1026 in ADManager Plus
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in ZOHO ManageEngine ADManager Plus before 6.2 Build 6270 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) technicianSearchText parameter to the Help Desk Technician page or (2) rolesSearchText parameter to the Help Desk Roles.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/01/2022
The vulnerability CVE-2015-1026 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in ZOHO ManageEngine ADManager Plus software version 6.2 Build 6270 and earlier. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security flaws. The issue affects the Help Desk Technician and Help Desk Roles pages within the ADManager Plus platform, making it particularly concerning for organizations that rely on this system for managing their Active Directory environments.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through two distinct attack vectors that exploit parameter handling weaknesses in the web application. Attackers can inject malicious scripts by manipulating the technicianSearchText parameter on the Help Desk Technician page or the rolesSearchText parameter on the Help Desk Roles page. These parameters are not properly sanitized or validated before being rendered back to users, creating opportunities for persistent XSS attacks. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code in the context of authenticated users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or further exploitation of the compromised systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to escalate privileges and gain unauthorized access to sensitive Active Directory information. Organizations using ADManager Plus for managing their enterprise directories face significant risks when this vulnerability exists, as it could allow attackers to manipulate user roles, access restricted information, or even execute commands within the directory management system. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors do not require physical access to the network or system to exploit this flaw, making it particularly attractive to cybercriminals seeking to compromise enterprise environments. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as attackers can leverage the XSS to execute malicious commands through the compromised web interface.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to ADManager Plus version 6.2 Build 6270 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address these XSS vulnerabilities. Input validation and output encoding should be strengthened throughout the application, particularly for parameters handling user-supplied data in the Help Desk modules. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other web applications within the enterprise environment. Network segmentation and web application firewalls can provide additional layers of protection while the software is being updated. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper parameter validation and input sanitization in enterprise web applications, as even seemingly minor flaws can provide attackers with significant access to sensitive systems and data.