CVE-2026-77699 in ManageEngine Endpoint Central
Summary
by MITRE • 09/07/2026
Zohocorp ManageEngine Endpoint Central versions below 11.5.2605.01 are vulnerable to Local privilege escalation due to loading a dll from an untrusted path.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/07/2026
The vulnerability identified in ManageEngine Endpoint Central, specifically affecting versions prior to build 11.5.2605.01, represents a critical local privilege escalation flaw rooted in improper dynamic link library (DLL) search order hijacking or insecure DLL loading practices. This security defect arises from the application's failure to strictly validate the source path of libraries it loads during execution. When an executable requests a DLL that is not present in its immediate directory, Windows operating systems follow a specific search sequence to locate the required file. If the application relies on default system paths or untrusted directories without enforcing absolute path specifications, an attacker with local access can exploit this behavior by placing a maliciously crafted DLL into one of these searched locations.
From a technical perspective, the core issue lies in the absence of secure coding practices regarding resource loading. The vulnerable component likely invokes functions such as LoadLibrary or similar API calls that resolve relative paths rather than absolute ones. By pre-placing a rogue DLL with the same name as the expected legitimate library into a directory that appears earlier in the search path, an attacker can force the application to load their malicious code instead of the authentic system file. This technique is widely recognized under CWE-427, which describes Uncontrolled Search Path Element vulnerabilities. The exploitation does not require network access or remote interaction; it strictly requires low-level local user privileges on the affected machine where Endpoint Central is installed and running with elevated permissions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe due to the typical deployment context of ManageEngine Endpoint Central. This software is commonly deployed as a central management console for IT infrastructure, often running under high-privilege service accounts or administrative credentials to perform system-wide configurations, patch deployments, and remote command execution across managed endpoints. If an attacker successfully exploits this DLL loading flaw on such a host, they can achieve arbitrary code execution within the context of these elevated privileges. This effectively allows the transition from a standard user account to full administrative control over the server or workstation hosting the application. The consequences include complete compromise of the management infrastructure, potential lateral movement across the network via compromised credentials stored in the database, and unauthorized modification or deletion of critical system configurations.
This vulnerability aligns with several entries in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly T1574.002 (Hijack Execution Flow: DLL Search Order Hijacking) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation). The attack vector is classified as Local because it necessitates physical or remote desktop access to the target system where Endpoint Central resides, rather than a network-based exploit. Once executed, the malicious payload can establish persistence, exfiltrate sensitive data such as hashed passwords from the application's database, and disable security monitoring tools installed on the host. The lack of input validation regarding file paths is a fundamental design flaw that undermines the principle of least privilege expected in enterprise management software.
Mitigation strategies must prioritize immediate patching to version 11.5.2605.01 or later, where Zohocorp has addressed this insecure loading mechanism by implementing strict path verification and absolute path resolution for all critical DLL dependencies. In environments where immediate patching is not feasible due to operational constraints, administrators should enforce strict file system permissions on directories that are part of the application's search path, ensuring that only authorized service accounts have write access. Additionally, enabling Data Execution Prevention (DEP) and Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR) can provide layers of defense-in-depth, although they do not fully mitigate the root cause. Regular auditing of installed services and their associated file paths is recommended to detect any unauthorized modifications or suspicious DLL placements that might indicate an ongoing exploitation attempt.