CVE-2024-0253 in ADAudit Plus
Summary
by MITRE • 02/02/2024
ManageEngine ADAudit Plus versions 7270 and below are vulnerable to the Authenticated SQL injection in home Graph-Data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/07/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-0253 affects ManageEngine ADAudit Plus versions 7270 and earlier, presenting a critical security risk through an authenticated SQL injection flaw within the home Graph-Data functionality. This issue resides in the application's handling of user-supplied input within the graph data rendering component, where insufficient input validation and sanitization allows malicious actors with valid credentials to manipulate database queries. The vulnerability specifically impacts the graph data visualization features that display audit information, creating a pathway for attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database system. This authenticated vulnerability requires an attacker to first obtain valid user credentials, but once achieved, provides access to sensitive audit data and potentially allows for privilege escalation within the database environment.
The technical implementation of this SQL injection vulnerability stems from improper parameter handling within the graph data processing logic. When users interact with the home dashboard and view graph data representations, the application constructs SQL queries using user-provided parameters without adequate sanitization or parameterization. This pattern violates fundamental security principles and creates opportunities for attackers to inject malicious SQL payloads that can manipulate the database queries. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws, and demonstrates how even authenticated access can be exploited when proper input validation mechanisms are absent. The attack vector requires a user to be logged into the system with valid credentials, but the impact extends beyond simple data theft to include potential database manipulation and information disclosure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends significantly beyond immediate data exposure, as it enables attackers to extract sensitive audit information, modify database records, or potentially escalate privileges within the application's database environment. Organizations utilizing ManageEngine ADAudit Plus may face serious consequences including compliance violations, data breaches, and unauthorized access to audit trails that are critical for security monitoring and forensic analysis. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of the application's dashboard and reporting features, potentially disrupting normal operational activities while providing attackers with access to detailed audit information that could be used for further attacks. This threat is particularly concerning for organizations that rely on audit data for regulatory compliance and security monitoring purposes.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-0253 should prioritize immediate patching of ManageEngine ADAudit Plus to versions beyond 7270, as this represents the most effective solution to address the underlying SQL injection vulnerability. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of the application to unauthorized users, while maintaining strict monitoring of authentication events and database access patterns. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any potential exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures specifically addressing SQL injection attacks. Additionally, implementing proper input validation, parameterized queries, and regular security testing can help prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in the future. The remediation process should also include comprehensive testing to ensure that the patched version maintains all required functionality while eliminating the SQL injection vector. Organizations should consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions to detect anomalous SQL query patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts, and should review their overall security posture to address potential related vulnerabilities in similar applications within their environment.