CVE-2020-24397 in Desktop Central
Summary
by MITRE • 10/04/2020
An issue was discovered in the client side of Zoho ManageEngine Desktop Central 10.0.0.SP-534. An attacker-controlled server can trigger an integer overflow in InternetSendRequestEx and InternetSendRequestByBitrate that leads to a heap-based buffer overflow and Remote Code Execution with SYSTEM privileges.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/16/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-24397 resides within the client-side component of Zoho ManageEngine Desktop Central version 10.0.0.SP-534, representing a critical security flaw that can be exploited to achieve remote code execution with elevated SYSTEM privileges. This vulnerability specifically affects the internet communication functions within the desktop management software, creating a pathway for malicious actors to compromise systems remotely. The flaw manifests in the handling of network requests through two primary functions: InternetSendRequestEx and InternetSendRequestByBitrate, which are integral to the software's ability to communicate with remote servers for desktop management tasks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves an integer overflow condition that occurs when processing certain network request parameters. When an attacker controls a malicious server and establishes communication with a vulnerable Desktop Central client, the integer overflow in the request handling functions causes subsequent heap-based buffer overflow conditions. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-190 category of Integer Overflow or Wraparound, which is a well-documented weakness that can lead to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. The buffer overflow specifically targets heap memory structures, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged to overwrite critical memory locations and potentially execute malicious code with the privileges of the SYSTEM account.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it provides attackers with complete system compromise capabilities. The SYSTEM privilege level access means that successful exploitation would allow attackers to install malicious software, modify system files, create new user accounts, and potentially escalate their access to other networked systems. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires no local system access or user interaction, making it a true remote code execution vulnerability that can be exploited from anywhere on the network. This vulnerability affects organizations using Desktop Central for remote desktop management, creating a significant risk for enterprises that rely on the software for managing distributed computing environments.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of the affected Desktop Central software to version 10.0.0.SP-535 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the integer overflow conditions. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and firewall rules to restrict communication between Desktop Central clients and untrusted servers, particularly blocking unnecessary outbound connections to external endpoints. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, and security teams should consider implementing endpoint detection and response solutions to identify potential compromise indicators. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques such as T1059.007 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: Visual Basic) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation) due to the SYSTEM privilege escalation capabilities. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to ensure no other components of their desktop management infrastructure are similarly affected, as the vulnerability could potentially be leveraged as a stepping stone for further attacks within the network environment.