CVE-2026-12267 in DDI Central
Summary
by MITRE • 09/28/2026
ManageEngine DDI Central versions below 6201 are vulnerable to Command injection in Windows DNS Query Resolution Policy name field leading to remote code execution.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/28/2026
The vulnerability identified in ManageEngine DDI Central prior to version 6201 represents a critical security flaw rooted in improper neutralization of special elements used in an operating system command, commonly classified under CWE-78 as OS Command Injection. This specific weakness manifests within the Windows DNS Query Resolution Policy name field, where user-supplied input is processed without adequate sanitization or validation before being passed to underlying system commands. The architecture of DDI Central relies on integrating with Microsoft DNS servers to manage dynamic updates and policy configurations. When an administrator or authenticated user interacts with the interface to define a query resolution policy, the application constructs command-line arguments that include the provided name field value directly into shell execution contexts. Because this input is not properly escaped or restricted against metacharacters such as semicolons, pipes, or ampersands, it allows for the injection of arbitrary operating system commands alongside the intended DNS configuration parameters.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe, enabling remote code execution with the privileges of the application process. Since DDI Central typically runs under a service account that often possesses administrative rights on the underlying Windows server to facilitate DNS management operations, successful exploitation grants an attacker full control over the host system. An unauthenticated or authenticated attacker can leverage this flaw by crafting a malicious payload within the policy name field during the creation or modification of a query resolution rule. By injecting commands such as those that download and execute additional malware, create new user accounts with elevated privileges, or exfiltrate sensitive data from the server, the attacker establishes persistent access to the network infrastructure. This compromises not only the integrity and confidentiality of the DDI Central application but also extends into the broader DNS ecosystem managed by the platform, potentially allowing for further lateral movement within the enterprise network.
From a tactical perspective, this vulnerability aligns with MITRE ATT&CK techniques related to Command and Scripting Interpreter abuse, specifically T1059 which covers various scripting languages used to execute commands on compromised systems. The attack vector typically involves interacting with the web-based management interface or API endpoints that handle policy configuration, making it accessible over the network without requiring physical access. This remote exploitability significantly lowers the barrier for entry compared to local privilege escalation attacks, allowing threat actors to target organizations relying heavily on centralized DNS management solutions. The lack of input validation in this specific field highlights a common oversight in enterprise software development where complex integration points between web applications and operating system services are not sufficiently hardened against injection-based attacks.
Mitigation strategies must prioritize immediate patching as the primary defense mechanism. Organizations running ManageEngine DDI Central versions below 6201 should upgrade to version 6201 or later, which includes code changes that implement strict input validation and proper escaping of special characters within the DNS Query Resolution Policy name field. Until patches can be applied, temporary mitigations may include restricting access to the management interface through network segmentation or firewall rules, ensuring that only trusted administrative IP addresses can interact with the application. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls configured to detect common command injection patterns in HTTP requests targeting DDI Central endpoints can provide an additional layer of defense by blocking malicious payloads before they reach the vulnerable component. Continuous monitoring for unusual process creation events on servers hosting DDI Central is also recommended to detect potential exploitation attempts that may have bypassed other controls.