CVE-2020-9347 in Password Manager Pro
Summary
by MITRE
Zoho ManageEngine Password Manager Pro through 10.x has a CSV Excel Macro Injection vulnerability via a crafted name that is mishandled by the Export Passwords feature.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/04/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-9347 affects Zoho ManageEngine Password Manager Pro versions up to and including 10.x, representing a critical security flaw in the password management solution's export functionality. This issue stems from improper handling of user-supplied data during the export process, specifically when generating CSV files that may contain malicious Excel macros. The vulnerability allows attackers to craft malicious input that, when processed by the export feature, results in the creation of CSV files containing embedded macro code that can execute automatically when opened in Microsoft Excel. This represents a significant risk to organizations relying on the platform for sensitive credential management, as it could enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to password databases through social engineering attacks targeting end users.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the export functionality's lack of proper input sanitization and validation when processing user-defined names or identifiers. When users export password records from the Password Manager Pro application, the system constructs CSV files that may include user-supplied data without adequate escaping or encoding of special characters that could be interpreted as macro commands by Excel. The flaw specifically manifests when a malicious user inputs a name or description containing Excel formula prefixes such as equals signs followed by macro execution commands, which are then written directly into the exported CSV file. This behavior creates a vector for macro injection attacks where the CSV file, when opened in Excel, automatically executes the embedded malicious code without user interaction, as per the principles outlined in the Common Weakness Enumeration CWE-116 classification for improper encoding or escaping of data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with a sophisticated method for lateral movement within compromised networks. Organizations using Password Manager Pro for credential storage face significant risk when this vulnerability is exploited, as the attack vector requires minimal technical skill to execute successfully. Attackers can craft malicious entries in password records, which when exported and opened by unsuspecting users in Excel environments, can deliver malware payloads, steal additional credentials, or establish persistence mechanisms. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.005 for command and scripting interpreter using Excel macros, and represents a prime example of how seemingly benign export functionality can become a critical attack surface. The risk is amplified in enterprise environments where multiple users regularly access exported password data, creating numerous potential attack vectors for malicious actors.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations to address this vulnerability, including disabling the export functionality until a patched version is deployed, implementing strict input validation for all user-supplied data, and educating users about the dangers of opening untrusted CSV files in Excel. Network segmentation and privilege separation should be enforced to limit the potential damage from successful exploitation. The recommended remediation approach involves upgrading to the latest version of Password Manager Pro where the vulnerability has been patched, typically through the vendor's security advisory process. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing automated monitoring for suspicious export activities and establish procedures for verifying the integrity of exported data before consumption. Security teams should also review their incident response plans to ensure readiness for potential macro injection attacks, as this vulnerability could serve as an initial access vector for more extensive compromise operations, particularly in environments where password manager systems contain privileged account credentials.