CVE-2019-12596 in AssetExplorer
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in Zoho ManageEngine AssetExplorer. There is XSS via SoftwareListView.do with the parameter swType or swComplianceType.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/24/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-12596 resides within Zoho ManageEngine AssetExplorer, a comprehensive asset management solution that organizations use to track and manage their IT assets. This particular flaw represents a cross-site scripting vulnerability that emerges through the SoftwareListView.do web interface component, specifically when processing user-supplied input through the swType or swComplianceType parameters. The issue demonstrates a classic weakness in input validation and output encoding practices that allows malicious actors to inject harmful scripts into web applications. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous in asset management systems where administrators frequently interact with software inventory data, as they can potentially compromise the entire asset tracking infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization of user-provided parameters within the SoftwareListView.do servlet. When a user submits values through the swType or swComplianceType parameters, the application fails to properly encode or validate this input before rendering it in the web response. This creates an environment where malicious scripts can be executed within the context of a victim's browser session. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and represents a Type 1 XSS vulnerability where the malicious payload is reflected back to the user. Attackers can craft specially formatted URLs containing malicious JavaScript code within these parameters, which when clicked by an unsuspecting administrator or user, executes the script in their browser context.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to escalate privileges and gain unauthorized access to sensitive asset information. In a corporate environment using Zoho ManageEngine AssetExplorer, an attacker could exploit this vulnerability to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, or inject additional malicious code that could compromise the entire asset management system. The vulnerability particularly affects administrators who frequently use the software inventory views, as they represent high-value targets for exploitation. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to the initial access and execution phases of the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically targeting the web application attack surface and potentially enabling lateral movement within the network.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including input validation and output encoding controls that sanitize all user-provided parameters before processing or rendering them in web responses. The recommended approach involves implementing proper HTML entity encoding for all dynamic content, employing content security policies to restrict script execution, and applying the principle of least privilege to limit the impact of potential exploitation. Additionally, regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities across the entire application stack. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and following secure coding practices that emphasize input validation, output encoding, and proper error handling. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads attempting to exploit such vulnerabilities in real-time.