CVE-2022-35404 in Password Manager Pro
Summary
by MITRE • 07/18/2022
ManageEngine Password Manager Pro 12100 and prior and OPManager 126100 and prior are vulnerable to unauthorized file and directory creation on a server machine.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/11/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-35404 affects ManageEngine Password Manager Pro version 12100 and earlier, as well as OPManager version 126100 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw that permits unauthorized file and directory creation on affected server systems. This issue stems from inadequate input validation and insufficient access controls within the application's file handling mechanisms, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate the system's file structure without proper authorization. The vulnerability resides in the application's handling of user-supplied data during file operations, where insufficient sanitization allows attackers to inject malicious file paths or directory names that bypass normal security restrictions.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability manifests as a path traversal or directory traversal issue that enables attackers to create arbitrary files and directories on the target server. The flaw operates by allowing unauthenticated or low-privileged users to manipulate file creation parameters through API endpoints or web interfaces, potentially leading to the creation of malicious files that could compromise system integrity. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal attacks. This weakness allows attackers to access files and directories outside of the intended scope, potentially leading to system compromise through the creation of backdoors, log manipulation, or other malicious activities.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-35404 extends beyond simple unauthorized file creation, as it provides attackers with a potential foothold for more sophisticated attacks within the target environment. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to plant malicious code, create persistent backdoors, or manipulate system configuration files that could lead to complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects organizations using ManageEngine products in production environments, potentially exposing sensitive password data, configuration files, and system resources to unauthorized access. Organizations with these vulnerable systems may face regulatory compliance issues, data breaches, and potential legal consequences due to the exposure of sensitive information that these products are designed to protect.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including network segmentation to limit access to affected systems, disabling unnecessary file creation functionalities where possible, and implementing robust input validation controls. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper access control implementation and input sanitization in enterprise applications, as highlighted by ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and T1490 which addresses data destruction. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious file creation attempts, while ensuring that all ManageEngine products are updated to the latest versions that address this specific vulnerability. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other enterprise applications, as this vulnerability type represents a common vector for initial compromise in enterprise environments.