CVE-2018-16364 in Applications Manager
Summary
by MITRE
A serialization vulnerability in Zoho ManageEngine Applications Manager before build 13740 allows for remote code execution on Windows via a payload on an SMB share.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/27/2020
The vulnerability CVE-2018-16364 represents a critical serialization flaw in Zoho ManageEngine Applications Manager software that affects versions prior to build 13740 on Windows operating systems. This vulnerability exists within the application's handling of serialized data objects and specifically impacts the software's ability to properly validate and process data received through Server Message Block protocol connections. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and unsafe deserialization practices that allow maliciously crafted serialized objects to be executed within the context of the target system. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it enables remote code execution through a payload delivered via an SMB share, eliminating the need for local system access or user interaction. This makes it an attractive target for attackers seeking to compromise systems without direct physical access or user engagement.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the application's deserialization process failing to properly validate serialized data objects received from network sources, particularly those accessed through SMB shares. When the application processes serialized objects containing malicious code, it executes the payload without adequate sandboxing or security checks. This behavior aligns with common software vulnerabilities categorized under CWE-502, which addresses "Deserialization of Untrusted Data" and represents one of the most prevalent attack vectors in modern software exploitation. The vulnerability's remote execution capability stems from the fact that the application processes SMB shares without proper authentication verification or data sanitization, allowing attackers to place malicious serialized objects on network shares that will be automatically processed by the vulnerable application. This creates a persistent threat vector where attackers can establish footholds on target systems simply by placing malicious content on accessible network shares.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-16364 is severe and multifaceted, affecting organizations that rely on Zoho ManageEngine Applications Manager for system monitoring and management. Successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the application process, typically running with high system privileges on Windows environments. The vulnerability enables attackers to establish persistent backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive monitoring data, and potentially move laterally within network environments where the application is deployed. Organizations using the affected software may experience unauthorized access to critical infrastructure monitoring systems, which could result in data breaches, service disruptions, and compliance violations. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers can target systems from external networks without requiring physical access, making detection and prevention more challenging. This vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1059 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1074 for Data Staged, as it allows for both code execution and data manipulation within monitored environments.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including updating to build 13740 or later versions of Zoho ManageEngine Applications Manager to address the serialization vulnerability. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to restrict SMB share access to only authorized systems and users. Additional protective measures include disabling unnecessary SMB services, implementing network monitoring for unusual SMB traffic patterns, and conducting regular vulnerability assessments of managed systems. Security teams should also review and update their incident response procedures to account for potential exploitation of this vulnerability, particularly focusing on monitoring for unauthorized code execution and data access patterns. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and secure coding practices, particularly in applications that process untrusted data from network sources. Organizations should consider implementing application whitelisting policies and runtime application protection mechanisms to further defend against similar serialization-based attacks that could exploit similar weaknesses in other software components.