CVE-2023-49331 in ADAudit Plus
Summary
by MITRE • 05/20/2024
Zoho ManageEngine ADAudit Plus through 7251 allows SQL injection in the aggregate reports search option.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/09/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-49331 affects Zoho ManageEngine ADAudit Plus version 7251 and earlier, presenting a critical SQL injection flaw within the aggregate reports search functionality. This vulnerability resides in the application's handling of user input when constructing database queries for report aggregation, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database system. The flaw specifically manifests when users interact with the aggregate reports feature, which is designed to provide comprehensive audit data analysis and reporting capabilities.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the search parameter processing logic. When users enter search terms into the aggregate reports interface, the application fails to properly escape or parameterize these inputs before incorporating them into SQL query strings. This oversight allows attackers to inject malicious SQL code that gets executed within the database context, potentially enabling full database compromise. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which categorizes SQL injection as a fundamental weakness in application input validation and query construction. Attackers can exploit this flaw to extract sensitive audit data, modify database records, or potentially escalate privileges within the system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe given the nature of ADAudit Plus as an audit and compliance management solution. Organizations using this platform store sensitive information including user access logs, system changes, and security event data that would be highly valuable to adversaries. Successful exploitation could result in complete data exfiltration from the audit database, modification of audit trails to cover malicious activities, or even complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects the core reporting functionality that organizations rely upon for security monitoring and compliance verification, potentially undermining the integrity of security operations. This vulnerability also presents a significant risk to compliance frameworks such as SOX, HIPAA, and PCI-DSS where audit integrity is paramount for regulatory adherence.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including applying the vendor-provided patches or updates that address this specific SQL injection vulnerability. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be enforced to limit access to the ADAudit Plus application to authorized personnel only. Input validation should be strengthened through proper parameterization of database queries and implementation of prepared statements to prevent injection attacks. Regular security assessments including penetration testing and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities within the application. Additionally, monitoring and logging should be enhanced to detect suspicious database access patterns or unusual query behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1071.004 for application layer protocol and T1566 for credential access, emphasizing the need for comprehensive defensive measures. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions to detect and respond to potential exploitation attempts in real-time.