CVE-2018-17596 in AssetExplorer
Summary
by MITRE
In Zoho ManageEngine AssetExplorer, a Stored XSS vulnerability was discovered in the 6.2.0 version via the /AssetDef.do ciName or assetName parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/20/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2018-17596 represents a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw within Zoho ManageEngine AssetExplorer version 6.2.0. This security weakness resides in the application's handling of user-supplied input through the /AssetDef.do endpoint, specifically targeting the ciName and assetName parameters. The flaw allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that persists within the application's database and executes whenever affected pages are rendered to users. This stored nature of the vulnerability means that the malicious payload remains active even after the initial injection, making it particularly dangerous for environments where multiple users interact with the asset management system. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on ManageEngine AssetExplorer for tracking and managing their IT assets, potentially exposing sensitive organizational data and system integrity to unauthorized access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the AssetExplorer application's parameter handling mechanisms. When users submit data through the ciName or assetName fields, the application fails to properly sanitize or escape special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript code. This lack of proper input sanitization creates an environment where attackers can embed malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which specifically addresses the failure to properly escape or encode user-controllable data before including it in web pages. The attack vector involves an authenticated user submitting malicious input through the web interface, which is then stored and executed when other users view the affected asset records. This stored XSS vulnerability can be exploited to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, potentially enabling attackers to compromise entire asset management systems and gain unauthorized access to sensitive organizational information. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code within the context of the victim's browser, potentially leading to privilege escalation or lateral movement within the network. The consequences include unauthorized access to asset inventory data, potential exposure of confidential information, and the ability to manipulate or delete asset records. Organizations using this version of AssetExplorer face significant risk of data breaches, as the vulnerability could be exploited by both internal and external threat actors. The stored nature of the XSS payload means that once injected, the malicious code remains persistent, continuously affecting any user who accesses the affected asset records. This vulnerability also violates fundamental security principles outlined in the ATT&CK framework under T1566 - Phishing, as it could be used to deliver malicious payloads through compromised asset management interfaces.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-17596 require immediate action to address the root cause through proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. Organizations should upgrade to a patched version of Zoho ManageEngine AssetExplorer that resolves this vulnerability, as provided by the vendor's security advisories. Additionally, implementing proper input sanitization techniques, including HTML entity encoding and strict parameter validation, can prevent similar issues in the future. Network segmentation and access controls should be reviewed to limit potential impact if exploitation occurs. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious input patterns and unauthorized modifications to asset records. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other applications. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that all user input fields are properly validated and that output encoding is consistently applied across the application. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and security headers to provide additional protection layers against XSS attacks. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of input validation and output encoding in web applications, particularly in enterprise asset management systems where sensitive data is processed and stored.