CVE-2018-15740 in ADManager Plus
Summary
by MITRE
Zoho ManageEngine ADManager Plus 6.5.7 has XSS on the "Workflow Delegation" "Requester Roles" screen.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/17/2025
The vulnerability CVE-2018-15740 represents a cross-site scripting flaw discovered in Zoho ManageEngine ADManager Plus version 6.5.7 within the Workflow Delegation functionality, specifically affecting the Requester Roles screen. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which categorizes improper neutralization of input during web output, making it a classic web application security weakness that can enable attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of a victim's browser session. The vulnerability manifests when user-supplied input is not properly sanitized or validated before being rendered back to the browser, creating an opportunity for attackers to inject malicious code that persists and executes in the victim's browser environment.
The technical exploitation of this XSS vulnerability occurs within the workflow delegation module where administrators configure who can request certain actions within the Active Directory management system. When users navigate to the Requester Roles screen and input malicious payloads, these inputs are processed and displayed without adequate output encoding or validation mechanisms. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it exists in an administrative interface that likely contains sensitive information and privileged operations, providing attackers with potential access to critical system functions. Attackers could leverage this flaw by crafting malicious input that includes script tags or other malicious payloads designed to steal session cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or perform unauthorized actions within the application's context.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it compromises the integrity and confidentiality of the entire ADManager Plus environment. Since this is an administrative interface, successful exploitation could allow attackers to escalate privileges, access sensitive Active Directory information, or manipulate workflow processes that govern user access and permissions. The vulnerability affects the application's authentication and authorization mechanisms by potentially allowing unauthorized users to gain elevated privileges or by enabling authenticated attackers to perform actions they should not be permitted to execute. According to ATT&CK framework category T1548.002, this vulnerability could facilitate privilege escalation through the manipulation of workflow and delegation settings, while also supporting initial access vectors through web-based exploitation techniques.
Organizations using Zoho ManageEngine ADManager Plus version 6.5.7 face significant security risks from this vulnerability as it could be exploited by attackers with minimal technical expertise to compromise their Active Directory environments. The persistence of XSS flaws in administrative interfaces means that once exploited, attackers can maintain access and continue to leverage the compromised system for further attacks. Mitigation strategies should include immediate application of vendor patches or updates to address the specific XSS vulnerability, implementation of proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms, and deployment of web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads. Additionally, organizations should enforce principle of least privilege in the application configuration and consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to prevent execution of unauthorized scripts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security assessments and penetration testing of administrative interfaces to identify similar weaknesses before they can be exploited by malicious actors in the wild.