CVE-2020-29658 in Application Control Plus
Summary
by MITRE • 03/05/2021
Zoho ManageEngine Application Control Plus before 100523 has an insecure SSL configuration setting for Nginx, leading to Privilege Escalation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/28/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-29658 affects Zoho ManageEngine Application Control Plus versions prior to build 100523, presenting a critical security flaw in the application's SSL configuration implementation. This issue specifically impacts the Nginx web server component that serves as the front-end interface for the application control platform, creating a pathway for unauthorized privilege escalation attacks. The vulnerability stems from the improper configuration of SSL/TLS protocols and cipher suites that fail to meet modern security standards, allowing attackers to exploit weak cryptographic implementations within the web server infrastructure. Such insecure configurations typically arise from default settings that prioritize compatibility over security, leaving systems exposed to various cryptographic attacks including protocol downgrade attacks and weak cipher suite exploitation.
The technical flaw manifests through the insecure SSL configuration that enables attackers to manipulate the TLS handshake process and potentially downgrade connections to weaker cryptographic protocols. This vulnerability operates at the network layer of the application stack, specifically targeting the Nginx web server's SSL implementation where the application control plus platform serves its web interface. The insecure configuration allows for the acceptance of weak cryptographic parameters that should be rejected by properly configured SSL/TLS implementations, creating opportunities for man-in-the-middle attacks and session hijacking. According to CWE-319, this represents a weakness in cryptographic protocols that directly enables unauthorized access to sensitive data and system resources. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects the core authentication and authorization mechanisms that govern access to privileged system functions within the application control plus platform.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-29658 extends beyond simple data exposure to encompass full privilege escalation capabilities that could allow attackers to gain administrative access to the entire application control plus environment. This vulnerability enables attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms and execute commands with elevated privileges, potentially leading to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to all managed applications and services within the scope of the platform. Organizations using vulnerable versions of Zoho ManageEngine Application Control Plus face significant risk of unauthorized access to critical system controls, configuration management, and monitoring capabilities. The vulnerability affects the platform's ability to maintain secure communication channels, potentially allowing attackers to intercept sensitive data, manipulate system configurations, and gain unauthorized access to privileged functions that should be restricted to authorized administrators only.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper SSL/TLS configuration standards that align with current security best practices and industry recommendations. Organizations must upgrade to Zoho ManageEngine Application Control Plus build 100523 or later, which includes corrected SSL configuration settings that properly enforce strong cryptographic protocols. The recommended approach involves configuring Nginx to disable weak SSL/TLS versions such as SSLv2 and SSLv3, while enforcing the use of TLS 1.2 or higher with strong cipher suites that meet current security standards. Security teams should implement certificate pinning mechanisms and regularly audit SSL/TLS configurations to prevent similar issues from reoccurring. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which describes valid accounts usage for privilege escalation, as the insecure SSL configuration creates opportunities for attackers to establish unauthorized sessions that can be leveraged for elevated access. Additionally, the remediation efforts should include comprehensive security hardening of the web server infrastructure, implementing proper certificate management practices, and establishing continuous monitoring for unauthorized cryptographic protocol usage that could indicate similar vulnerabilities in the system.