CVE-2017-9362 in ServiceDesk Plus
Summary
by MITRE
ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus before 9312 contains an XML injection at add Configuration items CMDB API.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/07/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9362 affects ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus versions prior to 9312 and represents a critical XML injection flaw within the Configuration Management Database (CMDB) API. This vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms when processing XML data submitted through the add Configuration items endpoint. The flaw allows authenticated attackers with appropriate privileges to inject malicious XML content that can be processed by the application's XML parser, potentially leading to various security consequences including data manipulation, unauthorized access, and system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied XML input before processing it through the CMDB API. When users submit configuration items through the API, the system accepts XML formatted data without adequate validation or filtering of special XML characters and elements. This creates an environment where malicious actors can embed XML entities, external references, or other harmful XML constructs that may be interpreted by the underlying XML parser. The vulnerability specifically impacts the add Configuration items functionality, which is a core component of the CMDB system used to maintain inventory and relationships of IT assets within the service management framework.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations relying on ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus for their IT service management operations. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could manipulate the CMDB data to alter asset information, create false configuration items, or potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive system information. The impact extends beyond simple data corruption as the XML injection could enable more sophisticated attacks such as XML External Entity (XXE) processing, which might allow attackers to access internal system resources or perform server-side request forgery attacks. Organizations using this service management platform face potential exposure to data breaches, service disruption, and compliance violations due to the compromised integrity of their configuration management data.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-91 and CWE-611 categories under the Common Weakness Enumeration framework, specifically addressing XML injection and XML external entity processing weaknesses. This classification indicates that the flaw represents a well-documented security gap in XML processing implementations that has been previously identified and categorized by the security community. From the MITRE ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability could be leveraged as part of a broader attack chain under techniques such as T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation) when combined with other exploitation methods. Organizations should consider implementing input validation controls, disabling unnecessary XML features, and applying the vendor-provided security patches to address this vulnerability. The recommended mitigation includes upgrading to ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus version 9312 or later, implementing proper XML parsing security configurations, and conducting thorough input validation for all XML data processing within the application.
The broader implications of this vulnerability highlight the critical importance of secure coding practices in enterprise service management platforms, particularly those handling sensitive configuration data. Given that CMDB systems serve as foundational components for IT operations and security management, vulnerabilities in these systems can have cascading effects on overall security posture. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation, access controls, and monitoring solutions to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the ongoing need for comprehensive security testing, including XML injection testing, during software development and maintenance cycles to prevent similar issues from emerging in other enterprise applications.