CVE-2024-0252 in ADSelfService Plus
Summary
by MITRE • 01/11/2024
ManageEngine ADSelfService Plus versions 6401 and below are vulnerable to the remote code execution due to the improper handling in the load balancer component. Authentication is required in order to exploit this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/07/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-0252 affects ManageEngine ADSelfService Plus versions 6401 and below, presenting a critical remote code execution risk through improper handling within the load balancer component. This flaw represents a significant security weakness that could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The vulnerability specifically resides in how the load balancer processes requests, creating an attack surface that bypasses normal security controls. The requirement for authentication to exploit this vulnerability does not mitigate the severity, as valid credentials can often be obtained through various means including credential stuffing, phishing attacks, or exploitation of other vulnerabilities within the network. The impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation as remote code execution capabilities enable full system compromise and potential lateral movement throughout the network infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and improper sanitization within the load balancer module. When requests are processed through this component, the system fails to properly validate or sanitize parameters that are passed to internal processing functions. This misconfiguration creates a path where crafted payloads can be executed with the privileges of the application itself, potentially allowing attackers to gain complete control over the affected server. The vulnerability manifests through the load balancer's handling of specific request parameters that are not adequately filtered or escaped, creating a condition where attacker-controlled data can be interpreted as executable code. This type of flaw aligns with CWE-74, which describes improper neutralization of special elements in output used by a downstream component, and CWE-94, which addresses the execution of arbitrary code or commands. The vulnerability's exploitation requires authentication, indicating that the system maintains some level of access control, yet this protection is insufficient against determined attackers who can obtain valid credentials through various attack vectors.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a substantial risk to organizations utilizing ManageEngine ADSelfService Plus in their identity and access management infrastructure. The remote code execution capability allows attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including data exfiltration, system modification, privilege escalation, and deployment of additional malware. The load balancer component typically operates as a critical part of the application architecture, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited to compromise the core functionality of the identity management system. Organizations may experience significant business disruption, regulatory compliance violations, and potential data breaches when this vulnerability is exploited. The requirement for authentication adds complexity to the attack surface but does not eliminate the risk, as attackers can leverage various techniques to obtain valid credentials including credential reuse attacks, social engineering, or exploitation of other system vulnerabilities that may exist within the organization's infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-0252 should focus on immediate remediation through official patches provided by ManageEngine, as well as implementing additional security controls to reduce the attack surface. Organizations must ensure that all systems are updated to versions that address this vulnerability, with particular attention to the load balancer configuration and input validation mechanisms. Network segmentation and access control measures should be strengthened to limit potential exploitation paths, including implementing strict firewall rules that restrict access to the affected application. The principle of least privilege should be enforced, ensuring that only authorized personnel have access to the application with the necessary authentication credentials. Additional monitoring and logging should be implemented to detect anomalous behavior patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, including unusual authentication patterns or unexpected system changes. Security teams should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify other potential entry points that could be leveraged in conjunction with this vulnerability, as attackers often employ multi-stage attack approaches. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1078 for valid accounts, indicating the need for both endpoint detection capabilities and account monitoring to effectively defend against exploitation attempts.