CVE-2021-3287 in ManageEngine OpManager
Summary
by MITRE • 04/22/2021
Zoho ManageEngine OpManager before 12.5.329 allows unauthenticated Remote Code Execution due to a general bypass in the deserialization class.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/24/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-3287 affects Zoho ManageEngine OpManager versions prior to 12.5.329 and represents a critical security flaw that enables unauthenticated remote code execution. This vulnerability stems from a weakness in the application's deserialization mechanism, specifically a general bypass that allows attackers to exploit the system without requiring valid credentials. The flaw exists within the application's object deserialization process, which is a common attack vector in software applications where malicious data can be injected into the system through serialized objects.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of serialized data structures within the OpManager application. When the system processes serialized objects, it fails to properly validate or sanitize the incoming data, allowing attackers to craft malicious serialized payloads that can be executed within the application's runtime environment. This deserialization flaw specifically targets the application's internal object handling mechanisms, bypassing standard authentication and authorization checks that would normally prevent unauthorized access. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-502, which addresses deserialization of untrusted data, a category that includes various forms of object deserialization attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2021-3287 is severe and potentially catastrophic for organizations using affected versions of Zoho ManageEngine OpManager. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can execute arbitrary code on the target system with the privileges of the application itself, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The unauthenticated nature of the attack means that no prior access credentials are required, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited from any network location. This flaw can result in data breaches, system infiltration, lateral movement within networks, and potential disruption of critical IT operations that rely on the managed infrastructure.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including updating to Zoho ManageEngine OpManager version 12.5.329 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the deserialization bypass. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to the affected application where possible, limiting exposure to potential attackers. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual deserialization activities or suspicious network traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their network infrastructure to identify any potential compromise and implement proper input validation controls to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other applications. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as exploitation would likely involve executing malicious code through the deserialization mechanism.