CVE-2024-38871 in Exchange Reporter Plus
Summary
by MITRE • 07/26/2024
Zohocorp ManageEngine Exchange Reporter Plus versions 5717 and below are vulnerable to the authenticated SQL injection in the reports module.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/12/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-38871 affects Zohocorp ManageEngine Exchange Reporter Plus versions 5717 and earlier, presenting a critical security risk through an authenticated SQL injection flaw within the reports module. This vulnerability represents a significant weakness in the application's input validation mechanisms, allowing authenticated attackers to manipulate database queries through crafted inputs. The affected system processes user-supplied data in the reports functionality without proper sanitization, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an authenticated user session, which reduces the attack surface compared to unauthenticated flaws but still poses substantial risk to organizations. The SQL injection occurs when the application fails to properly escape or parameterize user inputs before incorporating them into database queries within the reports module. This flaw falls under CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection vulnerabilities, where improper input handling allows attackers to inject malicious SQL code that can be executed by the database engine. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data theft as it can enable complete database compromise, privilege escalation, and potential lateral movement within the network.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-38871 is severe for organizations relying on Exchange Reporter Plus for email monitoring and reporting. An attacker with valid credentials could extract sensitive email data, user credentials, system configurations, and other confidential information stored within the database. The vulnerability also enables potential privilege escalation attacks where attackers might gain administrative access to the database or application itself. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1190 (Exploit Public-Facing Application) and T1071.005 (Application Layer Protocol: DNS) when combined with other techniques, though the primary attack vector stems from authenticated access to the reports functionality. The vulnerability's presence in Exchange Reporter Plus creates a persistent threat vector that could be leveraged for extended reconnaissance and data exfiltration activities.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including applying the latest patches from ManageEngine, which would address the SQL injection vulnerability through proper input validation and parameterized query implementation. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit the scope of potential exploitation, while monitoring systems should be enhanced to detect anomalous database query patterns. The implementation of web application firewalls and database activity monitoring tools can provide additional layers of defense. Security teams should also conduct thorough access reviews to ensure that only necessary personnel maintain authenticated access to the reports module, reducing the attack surface for potential exploitation. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be performed to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications within the Exchange Reporter Plus ecosystem and across the broader network infrastructure.