CVE-2017-17552 in AD Manager Plus
Summary
by MITRE
/LoadFrame in Zoho ManageEngine AD Manager Plus build 6590 - 6613 allows attackers to conduct URL Redirection attacks via the src parameter, resulting in a bypass of CSRF protection, or potentially masquerading a malicious URL as trusted.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/23/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-17552 affects Zoho ManageEngine AD Manager Plus versions ranging from build 6590 through 6613, specifically within the /LoadFrame endpoint. This issue represents a critical security flaw that enables attackers to manipulate the src parameter to execute unauthorized URL redirection attacks. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the application's frame loading functionality, creating an avenue for malicious actors to exploit the system's trust relationships.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in how the application processes the src parameter within the LoadFrame functionality. When an attacker supplies a malicious URL through this parameter, the application fails to properly validate or sanitize the input before using it to load content into a frame. This lack of proper validation allows the system to accept and process external URLs without adequate security checks, effectively bypassing the Cross-Site Request Forgery protection mechanisms that should normally prevent unauthorized actions. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-601 as URL Redirection to Untrusted Site, which is a well-documented pattern where applications redirect users to potentially malicious domains without sufficient verification.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple redirection attacks, as it can be leveraged for sophisticated social engineering campaigns and phishing operations. Attackers can masquerade malicious URLs as legitimate internal resources, exploiting the trust relationship between the user and the application. This capability significantly increases the effectiveness of targeted attacks against organizational users, as the malicious content appears to originate from a trusted internal source. The vulnerability essentially undermines the application's security model by allowing external content to be loaded into frames that users perceive as part of the trusted internal network.
From an attack perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1566 category, specifically targeting the use of social engineering through malicious redirects. The ability to bypass CSRF protection mechanisms means that attackers can potentially execute unauthorized actions on behalf of authenticated users, though the primary impact remains focused on the redirection aspect. Organizations utilizing affected versions of AD Manager Plus face significant risk of credential theft, data exfiltration, and lateral movement within their networks. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical skill, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users may not be adequately trained to recognize phishing attempts.
The recommended mitigation strategies include immediate patching of the affected software to the latest version that addresses this vulnerability. Organizations should also implement network-level controls to monitor and restrict outbound connections from the application server, particularly to external domains. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and sanitization for all parameters used in frame loading operations can prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other applications. Security teams should conduct thorough audits of all web applications to identify similar patterns that might allow URL redirection attacks, particularly in components that handle external content loading. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of validating all external inputs and maintaining robust CSRF protection mechanisms throughout web applications.