CVE-2017-16847 in Applications Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Zoho ManageEngine Applications Manager 13 allows SQL injection via the /showresource.do resourceid parameter in a showPlasmaView action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/26/2020
The vulnerability CVE-2017-16847 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within Zoho ManageEngine Applications Manager version 13, specifically affecting the /showresource.do endpoint when processing the resourceid parameter in showPlasmaView actions. This vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-89, which defines SQL injection as the insertion of malicious SQL code into database queries through input validation gaps. The flaw exists in the web application's parameter handling mechanism where user-supplied input is directly incorporated into SQL queries without proper sanitization or parameterization, creating an exploitable entry point for malicious actors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers to manipulate the resourceid parameter in the showPlasmaView action to inject arbitrary SQL commands into the backend database. When the application processes this parameter, it fails to properly escape or validate the input before incorporating it into database queries, enabling attackers to construct malicious SQL statements that can execute with the privileges of the database user. This vulnerability specifically impacts the application manager's resource viewing functionality, where the resourceid parameter is used to retrieve and display specific resource information from the database.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, potentially allowing unauthorized users to gain full database access, extract sensitive information, modify or delete critical data, and escalate privileges within the application environment. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to access confidential organizational data including user credentials, system configurations, and business-critical information stored within the Applications Manager database. The vulnerability also provides potential for further lateral movement within the network, as database access often grants access to underlying system resources and additional applications that may share the same database infrastructure.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including input validation and parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection attacks. The recommended approach involves implementing proper input sanitization techniques that filter or escape special characters in user-supplied parameters, combined with the use of prepared statements or parameterized queries that separate SQL code from data. Organizations should also deploy web application firewalls to monitor and block suspicious SQL injection patterns, conduct regular security assessments of the application, and ensure that all systems are updated with the latest security patches provided by Zoho. Additionally, implementing principle of least privilege access controls and database monitoring can help detect and prevent unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices and input validation in preventing database-related attacks, aligning with ATT&CK framework techniques that target data access and credential exposure through application layer vulnerabilities.