CVE-2023-2291 in Access Manager Plus
Summary
by MITRE • 04/27/2023
Static credentials exist in the PostgreSQL data used in ManageEngine Access Manager Plus (AMP) build 4309, ManageEngine Password Manager Pro, and ManageEngine PAM360. These credentials could allow a malicious actor to modify configuration data that would escalate their permissions from that of a low-privileged user to an Administrative user.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/17/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-2291 represents a critical security flaw in ManageEngine's suite of identity and access management products including Access Manager Plus, Password Manager Pro, and PAM360. This issue stems from the improper handling of static credentials within PostgreSQL database structures, creating a persistent backdoor mechanism that malicious actors can exploit to gain unauthorized administrative privileges. The vulnerability specifically affects build 4309 and potentially other versions within the affected product lines, making it a widespread concern across organizations utilizing these management solutions. The presence of hardcoded credentials in database configurations fundamentally undermines the security architecture of these products, as they provide a consistent entry point that remains valid across system restarts and credential rotations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the storage of static authentication credentials within the PostgreSQL database schema used by these ManageEngine products. These hardcoded credentials are typically stored in configuration tables or initialization scripts, making them accessible to any user who can access the database layer. The flaw allows attackers to leverage these static credentials to authenticate as privileged users within the system, effectively bypassing normal authentication mechanisms and access controls. This creates a direct path for privilege escalation from low-privileged user accounts to administrative level access, fundamentally compromising the principle of least privilege that should govern access to critical systems. The vulnerability's persistence across system restarts and its independence from standard credential management processes makes it particularly dangerous and difficult to detect through routine security monitoring.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-2291 extends far beyond simple unauthorized access, as it enables comprehensive system compromise and data manipulation capabilities. Once an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they can modify critical configuration data, alter user permissions, and potentially access sensitive information stored within the management systems. The ability to escalate privileges without detection represents a significant threat to organizational security posture, as it allows attackers to maintain persistent access while evading traditional security controls and monitoring systems. This vulnerability directly impacts the integrity and confidentiality of identity management systems, potentially leading to widespread credential compromise, unauthorized system modifications, and complete control over the managed access environment. Organizations relying on these products face the risk of insider threats, external attacks, and comprehensive system infiltration that could affect thousands of managed accounts and access controls.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-2291 require immediate action to address the hardcoded credential exposure and implement comprehensive security controls. Organizations should first identify and remove any static credentials from database configurations, implementing dynamic credential management solutions that rotate authentication tokens regularly. The recommended approach includes updating to patched versions of ManageEngine products, implementing database access controls that restrict direct database connections, and establishing network segmentation to limit access to database layers. Security teams should conduct comprehensive audits of database configurations to identify any remaining hardcoded credentials and implement database activity monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts. Additionally, organizations should review and strengthen their identity and access management policies, ensuring that privilege escalation requires multi-factor authentication and explicit administrative approval. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and implementing proper credential management as outlined in CWE-798 and CWE-259 standards, while also addressing the threat vectors described in ATT&CK technique T1566 for credential access and T1078 for valid accounts. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to verify that the remediation efforts have effectively addressed the vulnerability and that no similar issues exist within the broader system architecture.