CVE-2024-5608 in ADAudit Plus
Summary
by MITRE • 10/24/2024
Zohocorp ManageEngine ADAudit Plus versions below 8121 are vulnerable to SQL Injection in the technician reports feature.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/24/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-5608 affects Zohocorp ManageEngine ADAudit Plus software at versions prior to 8121, specifically targeting the technician reports functionality. This SQL injection flaw represents a critical security weakness that could allow unauthorized actors to manipulate database queries and potentially gain access to sensitive organizational data. The affected component resides within the reporting module that generates technical audit reports, making it particularly concerning for enterprises relying on comprehensive audit trails and compliance monitoring.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the technician reports feature where user-supplied parameters are directly incorporated into SQL query construction without proper sanitization or parameterization. This classic SQL injection vector allows attackers to inject malicious SQL code through report generation parameters, potentially enabling data extraction, modification, or deletion operations against the underlying database. The flaw operates at the application layer and requires minimal privileges to exploit, as the vulnerable interface is typically accessible to authenticated users with reporting capabilities.
Operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data compromise to encompass potential regulatory compliance violations and business disruption. Organizations utilizing ManageEngine ADAudit Plus for security monitoring and audit compliance may face severe consequences including unauthorized access to privileged account information, modification of audit logs, and potential data exfiltration. The vulnerability's exploitation could undermine the integrity of security controls and audit trails that organizations depend upon for regulatory compliance, particularly in industries subject to strict data protection requirements such as healthcare, finance, and government sectors. The attack surface is further expanded as this vulnerability affects the core audit functionality that many organizations rely on for security operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-5608 should prioritize immediate software updates to version 8121 or later, which includes proper input validation and parameterized query implementations. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to the ADAudit Plus application, enforce least privilege access controls for report generation functionality, and conduct thorough penetration testing to identify potential exploitation vectors. Additionally, implementing database activity monitoring and anomaly detection systems can help identify suspicious query patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which classifies SQL injection flaws, and represents a technique commonly mapped to ATT&CK tactic TA0006 (Credential Access) and TA0007 (Discovery) where attackers may attempt to extract credentials or discover system information through database manipulation. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and input validation controls as additional defensive measures to protect against similar injection vulnerabilities in other application components.