CVE-2015-5459 in Password Manager Pro
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the AdvanceSearch.class in AdventNetPassTrix.jar in ManageEngine Password Manager Pro (PMP) before 8.1 Build 8101 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the ANDOR parameter, as demonstrated by a request to STATE_ID/1425543888647/SQLAdvancedALSearchResult.cc.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/23/2022
The CVE-2015-5459 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw discovered in ManageEngine Password Manager Pro version 8.1 Build 8101 and earlier. This vulnerability exists within the AdvanceSearch.class component of the AdventNetPassTrix.jar library, which forms part of the password management solution's core functionality. The flaw specifically affects the application's handling of user input through the ANDOR parameter, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate database queries and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive information. The vulnerability manifests when users make requests to the STATE_ID/1425543888647/SQLAdvancedALSearchResult.cc endpoint, where the application fails to properly sanitize or validate input parameters before incorporating them into SQL commands.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization practices within the application's search functionality. When authenticated users submit search queries containing maliciously crafted ANDOR parameter values, the system directly incorporates these inputs into database queries without adequate protection mechanisms such as parameterized queries or input filtering. This design flaw allows attackers to inject malicious SQL code that can be executed by the database engine, potentially enabling full database access, data exfiltration, or even privilege escalation within the application's database layer. The vulnerability specifically aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection as a common weakness in application security where untrusted data is directly included in SQL commands without proper escaping or parameterization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it can enable attackers to manipulate the entire password management system. Successful exploitation could allow malicious users to view, modify, or delete sensitive password records, potentially compromising thousands of user accounts and system credentials stored within the password manager. The authenticated nature of the vulnerability means that attackers would need valid login credentials to exploit this flaw, but once compromised, the impact could be devastating for organizations relying on the system for credential management. This vulnerability also represents a significant risk to enterprise security infrastructure since password managers typically store highly sensitive authentication data that, if compromised, could provide attackers with access to critical system resources and potentially enable lateral movement throughout the network.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to ManageEngine Password Manager Pro version 8.1 Build 8101 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address this vulnerability. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit exposure, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual search patterns or database query behaviors that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.005, which covers application layer protocol usage for command and control communications, as attackers could potentially use this vulnerability to establish persistent access to the compromised system. Security teams should also consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions to detect and prevent unauthorized SQL command execution, while conducting thorough vulnerability assessments to identify similar input validation weaknesses in other application components.