CVE-2024-5490 in ADAudit Plus
Summary
by MITRE • 08/23/2024
Zohocorp ManageEngine ADAudit Plus versions below 8000 are vulnerable to the authenticated SQL injection in aggregate reports option.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/27/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-5490 affects Zohocorp ManageEngine ADAudit Plus versions prior to 8000, presenting a critical security risk through an authenticated SQL injection flaw within the aggregate reports functionality. This vulnerability resides in the application's handling of user-supplied input during report generation processes, specifically when users attempt to create aggregate reports that involve database queries. The flaw allows authenticated attackers with appropriate privileges to inject malicious SQL code into the application's query execution pipeline, potentially compromising the underlying database infrastructure.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the aggregate reports feature where user input is not properly sanitized or parameterized before being incorporated into database queries. When an attacker constructs malicious input within the report parameters, the application fails to adequately validate or escape the input, allowing the injected SQL commands to execute within the database context. This represents a classic SQL injection vulnerability that falls under CWE-89, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands. The vulnerability is authenticated, meaning an attacker requires valid user credentials with sufficient privileges to access the aggregate reporting functionality, but once exploited, the impact can be extensive.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or modification. Attackers with access to aggregate reports functionality could potentially extract sensitive information from the database, including user credentials, system configurations, audit logs, and other confidential data. The attack surface is particularly concerning because ADAudit Plus is designed for enterprise environments where it collects and stores extensive audit information about system activities, user behavior, and security events. Successful exploitation could lead to complete database compromise, allowing attackers to manipulate audit records, escalate privileges, or establish persistent access points within the enterprise network. The vulnerability also enables potential privilege escalation attacks where attackers might gain administrative access to the application itself, further expanding their control over the system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-5490 should prioritize immediate patching of ManageEngine ADAudit Plus installations to version 8000 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the SQL injection vulnerability. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to the application to authorized personnel only, utilizing the principle of least privilege to reduce the attack surface. Database query parameterization and input validation should be strengthened throughout the application's codebase, with regular security code reviews to identify similar vulnerabilities. Additionally, monitoring and logging of report generation activities should be enhanced to detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and T1213 which addresses data from information repositories, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where audit data is critical for security operations and compliance requirements. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious SQL injection attempts, while maintaining regular vulnerability assessments to identify potential similar weaknesses in the system architecture.