CVE-2021-31813 : Security Advisory and Response

Zoho ManageEngine Applications Manager before 15130 is vulnerable to Stored XSS while importing malicious user details (e.g., a crafted user name) from AD.

Understanding CVE-2021-31813

This CVE identifies a Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Zoho ManageEngine Applications Manager.

What is CVE-2021-31813?

CVE-2021-31813 highlights a security flaw in Zoho ManageEngine Applications Manager that allows for Stored XSS attacks when importing manipulated user data from Active Directory.

The Impact of CVE-2021-31813

This vulnerability could be exploited by an attacker to inject and execute malicious scripts within the context of an authenticated application user, potentially leading to unauthorized actions or data theft.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-31813

The technical details of CVE-2021-31813 include:

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises due to insufficient validation of user input when importing user details from Active Directory, enabling an attacker to embed malicious scripts.

Affected Systems and Versions

Zoho ManageEngine Applications Manager versions before 15130 are affected by this XSS vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

By crafting a malicious user name or other details within AD, an attacker can execute arbitrary scripts in the browser of an authenticated user, leading to potential compromise.

Mitigation and Prevention

To secure your systems against CVE-2021-31813, consider the following measures:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Zoho ManageEngine Applications Manager to version 15130 or newer to patch the vulnerability.
Avoid importing data from untrusted sources.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor for security updates and patches from Zoho ManageEngine.
Train users and administrators on safe data handling practices to prevent XSS attacks.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security recommendations and updates provided by Zoho ManageEngine to mitigate the risk of XSS vulnerabilities.