CVE-2023-2291 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE record pertains to the existence of static credentials in the PostgreSQL data utilized in Zoho ManageEngine Multiple Products, including ManageEngine Access Manager Plus (AMP) build 4309, ManageEngine Password Manager Pro, and ManageEngine PAM360. These hardcoded credentials could be exploited by a malicious actor to manipulate configuration data, potentially enabling them to elevate their permissions from a low-privileged user to an Administrative user.

Understanding CVE-2023-2291

This section delves into the details surrounding CVE-2023-2291, shedding light on the nature of the vulnerability and its potential impact.

What is CVE-2023-2291?

CVE-2023-2291 involves the presence of hardcoded credentials in PostgreSQL data within various Zoho ManageEngine products, opening up the possibility of unauthorized access and privilege escalation within affected systems.

The Impact of CVE-2023-2291

The impact of this vulnerability is significant as it facilitates the unauthorized modification of configuration data, which could potentially lead to an elevation of privileges for an attacker from a low-privileged user to an Administrative user.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-2291

In this section, we will explore the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, as well as the exploitation mechanism associated with CVE-2023-2291.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability stems from the presence of static credentials in the PostgreSQL data utilized by Zoho ManageEngine Multiple Products, enabling malicious actors to manipulate configuration data and escalate privileges within the affected systems.

Affected Systems and Versions

All versions of Zoho ManageEngine Multiple Products, including ManageEngine Access Manager Plus (AMP) build 4309, ManageEngine Password Manager Pro, and ManageEngine PAM360, are impacted by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

By leveraging the hardcoded credentials present in the PostgreSQL data, threat actors can gain unauthorized access and modify configuration settings, potentially leading to privilege escalation within the affected systems.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2023-2291, it is essential to implement immediate steps to mitigate the risk posed by the vulnerability and establish long-term security practices to safeguard against similar incidents in the future.

Immediate Steps to Take

Organizations should promptly review and update the PostgreSQL data used in Zoho ManageEngine products to eliminate the hardcoded credentials, thereby reducing the risk of unauthorized access and privilege escalation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing robust access control measures, regularly auditing and rotating credentials, and conducting security awareness training can help fortify the overall security posture and minimize the likelihood of similar vulnerabilities surfacing in the future.

Patching and Updates

Users of Zoho ManageEngine Multiple Products should stay vigilant for security updates and patches released by the vendor to address and remediate the hardcoded credentials vulnerability identified in CVE-2023-2291. Regularly applying patches and updates is crucial to maintaining a secure environment and mitigating potential risks.