Patchfirst
CVE-2021-44515 KEVPublic exploit Critical · 9.8 EPSS 99.9%

Zoho Desktop Central Authentication Bypass Vulnerability

Zoho · Desktop Central

Summary

Zoho ManageEngine Desktop Central, the Zoho desktop management product, contains an authentication bypass flaw in its server component. An unauthenticated attacker with network access to the server can exploit this bypass to achieve remote code execution, with no user interaction or prior credentials required.

Official description · NVD

Zoho ManageEngine Desktop Central is vulnerable to authentication bypass, leading to remote code execution on the server, as exploited in the wild in December 2021. For Enterprise builds 10.1.2127.17 and earlier, upgrade to 10.1.2127.18. For Enterprise builds 10.1.2128.0 through 10.1.2137.2, upgrade to 10.1.2137.3. For MSP builds 10.1.2127.17 and earlier, upgrade to 10.1.2127.18. For MSP builds 10.1.2128.0 through 10.1.2137.2, upgrade to 10.1.2137.3.

Breakdown
66.9 / 100
Exploited
Yes, in CISA KEV
Reports
0
Tactics
4/15

How an attack unfolds

Based on mappings. Select a step to see the evidence.
  1. How attackers get in

  2. What they do

  3. What can follow

First seen exploited 2 days before it was disclosed.

  1. First seen exploitedVulnCheck KEV evidenceAdded to CISA KEVEU database agrees2 days before
  2. Disclosedday 0

CISA KEV listing is when exploitation was confirmed, not necessarily the first attack.

techniques

5 , grouped by in kill-chain order 5

Initial AccessTA0001

MITRE CTID mapping of the KEV entry · how it is exploited

CVE-2021-44515 is an authentication bypass vulnerability. Post-exploit, APT actors were observed dropping a webshell, downloading post-exploitation tools, enumerating domain users and groups, conducting network reconnaissance, attempting lateral movement and dumping credentials.

Credential AccessTA0006

MITRE CTID mapping of the KEV entry · follow-on activity

DiscoveryTA0007

MITRE CTID mapping of the KEV entry · follow-on activity
MITRE CTID mapping of the KEV entry · follow-on activity

Command and ControlTA0011

MITRE CTID mapping of the KEV entry · primary impact

Detection

0 rules for this CVE · 292 general rules for its techniques

Rules for this CVE

0 that reference CVE-2021-44515 directly.

CVE-specific rules are not available in this build. Search SigmaHQ ↗

General rules for this CVE’s techniques

These detect the technique in general, not this specific vulnerability.

Exploit Public-Facing ApplicationT1190149 general rules
Ingress Tool TransferT110587 general rules
OS Credential DumpingT100337 general rules
Permission Groups DiscoveryT10693 general rules
Account DiscoveryT108716 general rules

Sigma rules © SigmaHQ, Detection Rule License 1.1; linked, not reproduced.

What security researchers reported

Not named in any threat report yet

References

4 links, grouped by NVD tag (3 duplicates merged)
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