CVE-2017-11738 in Application Manager
Summary
by MITRE
In Zoho ManageEngine Application Manager 13.1 Build 13100, the 'haid' parameter of the '/auditLogAction.do' module is vulnerable to a Time-based Blind SQL Injection attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/24/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-11738 affects Zoho ManageEngine Application Manager version 13.1 Build 13100 and represents a critical time-based blind sql injection flaw within the auditLogAction.do module. This vulnerability specifically targets the 'haid' parameter, which serves as an entry point for malicious actors to execute unauthorized sql commands against the underlying database system. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly filter or escape user-supplied data before processing within the application's backend sql queries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers to exploit the lack of proper parameter validation by crafting malicious sql payloads that can be injected through the 'haid' parameter. When the application processes this parameter without adequate sanitization, it executes the injected sql code within the database context, enabling attackers to extract sensitive information, modify database records, or even gain elevated privileges within the system. The time-based blind nature of this injection means that attackers can infer database contents through response timing variations, making detection more challenging while still providing sufficient information for exploitation.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations using Zoho ManageEngine Application Manager as it provides attackers with a pathway to compromise the entire database infrastructure. The impact extends beyond simple data theft to include potential system compromise, service disruption, and regulatory compliance violations. Organizations that rely on this application for critical business operations face substantial exposure, particularly given the ease with which this vulnerability can be exploited. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-89, which addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in sql commands, and represents a direct violation of secure coding practices that mandate input validation and parameterized queries.
The attack vector for this vulnerability follows standard sql injection patterns where an attacker submits malicious input through the 'haid' parameter, which then gets processed by the application without proper validation. This allows for the execution of arbitrary sql commands that can access sensitive data, modify database structures, or even execute system commands if the database user has sufficient privileges. The vulnerability's presence in the auditLogAction.do module is particularly concerning as audit logs typically contain sensitive operational data, user information, and system configurations that attackers can leverage for further compromise. Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper input validation, parameterized queries, and regular security updates to address this and similar vulnerabilities.
Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of this vulnerability through Zoho's official security updates while implementing additional defensive measures such as web application firewalls, input sanitization, and monitoring for suspicious parameter usage patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation in preventing sql injection attacks, which remain one of the most prevalent and dangerous security threats in web applications. This case underscores the necessity for continuous security assessment and the implementation of defense-in-depth strategies to protect against sophisticated attack vectors that exploit fundamental application design flaws.