CVE-2015-9107 in OpManager
Summary
by MITRE
Zoho ManageEngine OpManager 11 through 12.2 uses a custom encryption algorithm to protect the credential used to access the monitored devices. The implemented algorithm doesn't use a per-system key or even a salt; therefore, it's possible to create a universal decryptor.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/26/2020
The vulnerability CVE-2015-9107 affects Zoho ManageEngine OpManager versions 11 through 12.2, representing a critical weakness in the software's credential protection mechanism. This flaw resides in the custom encryption algorithm employed to secure authentication credentials used for accessing monitored network devices. The implementation demonstrates poor cryptographic practices that fundamentally compromise the security of sensitive authentication information. The vulnerability specifically targets the credential storage and encryption process within the network monitoring platform, creating a significant attack surface for unauthorized access to managed devices.
The technical flaw in this implementation stems from the absence of proper cryptographic principles including the lack of per-system keys and salt values in the custom encryption algorithm. This absence creates a deterministic encryption scheme where identical plaintext credentials produce identical ciphertext outputs regardless of the system or context in which they are stored. The algorithm's design fails to incorporate essential cryptographic security measures such as unique initialization vectors or system-specific key derivation functions. This weakness directly violates established cryptographic best practices and represents a clear violation of the principle of using unique cryptographic parameters for each encryption operation. The implementation follows a pattern consistent with weak cryptographic implementations classified under CWE-327, which addresses the use of weak or broken cryptographic algorithms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching for organizations relying on Zoho ManageEngine OpManager for network monitoring. Attackers can exploit this weakness to create a universal decryptor that can reverse-engineer all stored credentials across different systems and installations. This capability eliminates the need for system-specific attacks or extensive brute force efforts, as the same decryption mechanism works across all affected versions. The vulnerability essentially nullifies the security benefits of credential encryption, potentially allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access to monitored network devices including routers, switches, servers, and other infrastructure components. The impact extends beyond individual system compromise to potential network-wide infiltration, as compromised credentials can be used to access multiple monitored devices simultaneously.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to patched versions of Zoho ManageEngine OpManager where available, disabling unnecessary credential storage where possible, and implementing additional access controls around the management interface. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper cryptographic implementation and adherence to established security standards such as those defined in the NIST Cryptographic Standards and the OWASP Top Ten. Security teams should also consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring for unusual credential access patterns, as the vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited repeatedly. The incident highlights the necessity of avoiding custom encryption implementations without proper cryptographic review and emphasizes the importance of using well-established, peer-reviewed cryptographic libraries rather than developing proprietary solutions that may contain fundamental security flaws.