CVE-2025-3836
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands through the logon events aggregate report in ManageEngine ADAudit Plus. Attackers could potentially access, modify, or delete database information. Organizations using ADAudit Plus versions 8510 and prior are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Zohocorp ManageEngine ADAudit Plus
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete database compromise leading to data exfiltration, privilege escalation, or system takeover via SQL injection to execute arbitrary commands.
Likely Case
Unauthorized access to sensitive Active Directory audit data, potentially exposing user credentials, login patterns, and security configurations.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper network segmentation, authentication controls, and input validation are implemented.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires valid user credentials but SQL injection payloads are typically straightforward.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 8511 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://www.manageengine.com/products/active-directory-audit/cve-2025-3836.html
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Download the latest version from ManageEngine website. 2. Backup current installation. 3. Run the installer to upgrade. 4. Restart the ADAudit Plus service.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Input Validation Enhancement
allImplement additional input validation for logon events report parameters
Network Access Restriction
allRestrict access to ADAudit Plus web interface to trusted IP addresses only
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict network segmentation to isolate ADAudit Plus from critical systems
- Enforce strong authentication policies and monitor for suspicious SQL queries in database logs
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check ADAudit Plus version in web interface under Help > About or via command line: java -jar ManageEngineADAuditPlus.jar -versionCheck Version:
java -jar ManageEngineADAuditPlus.jar -versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify version is 8511 or later and test logon events aggregate report functionality📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual SQL queries in database logs
- Multiple failed authentication attempts followed by successful login
- Unexpected parameter values in web access logs
Network Indicators:
- SQL injection patterns in HTTP requests to /api/logon/aggregate endpoints
- Unusual database connection patterns
SIEM Query:
source="ad_audit_logs" AND (event_type="sql_error" OR http_request CONTAINS "UNION" OR http_request CONTAINS "SELECT * FROM")