CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2022-48362NVD status: Modified

Manageengine Desktop Central: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory

CVE-2022-48362 is a high-severity improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory vulnerability in Manageengine Desktop Central from Zoho, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. The record lists version 10.1.2137.2 as the first without the flaw, so updating Manageengine Desktop Central to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 8.67% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is in the top 4.8% of all scored CVEs.

Next patch cycle

High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.

What to do

  1. Update Manageengine Desktop Central to 10.1.2137.2 or a later version.
  2. Read the advisory on srcincite.io for workarounds and exact fixed builds.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
ZohoManageengine Desktop Centralbefore 10.1.2137.210.1.2137.2

Version data comes from NVD's product matching. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.

How the severity score breaks down

Attack vector
NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
Attack complexity
LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
Privileges required
LowA basic user account is enough.
User interaction
NoneNo action by a victim is required.
Scope
UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
Confidentiality
HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
Integrity
HighData or code can be modified at will.
Availability
HighThe component can be taken down completely.

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.

Scoring systemScoreSeverityScored by
CVSS 3.18.8HighNVD
CVSS 3.18.8HighCISA (ADP)

Official description

Zoho ManageEngine Desktop Central and Desktop Central MSP before 10.1.2137.2 allow directory traversal via computerName to AgentLogUploadServlet. A remote, authenticated attacker could upload arbitrary code that would be executed when Desktop Central is restarted. (The attacker could authenticate by exploiting CVE-2021-44515.)

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory

The product uses external input to construct a pathname that is intended to identify a file or directory that is located underneath a restricted parent directory, but the product does not properly neutralize special elements within the pathname that can cause the pathname to resolve to a location that is outside of the restricted directory.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • For any security checks that are performed on the client side, ensure that these checks are duplicated on the server side, in order to avoid CWE-602. Attackers can bypass the client-side checks by modifying values after the checks have been performed, or by changing the client to remove the client-side checks entirely. Then, these modified values would be submitted to the server.
  • Use a vetted library or framework that does not allow this weakness to occur or provides constructs that make this weakness easier to avoid.
  • Use an application firewall that can detect attacks against this weakness. It can be beneficial in cases in which the code cannot be fixed (because it is controlled by a third party), as an emergency prevention measure while more comprehensive software assurance measures are applied, or to provide defense in depth.

More Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory vulnerabilities (CWE-22)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: poc, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Other vulnerabilities in Manageengine Desktop Central

All Manageengine Desktop Central vulnerabilities

Recent Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory vulnerabilities

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