Unauthenticated RCE in Zoho ManageEngine SAML SSO
CVE-2022-47966 is an unauthenticated remote code execution vulnerability affecting multiple on-premises Zoho ManageEngine products, including ServiceDesk Plus and others, caused by use of Apache Santuario XML Security for Java (xmlsec) 1.4.1 in SAML processing. In the affected implementations, crafted SAMLResponse XML sent to a ManageEngine SAML endpoint can trigger unsafe XSLT processing because xmlsec 1.4.1 leaves critical security protections to the application, and the ManageEngine products did not enforce those protections. Public reporting specifically describes exploitation via a crafted SAMLResponse to a ServiceDesk Plus SAML endpoint. Depending on product, exploitation is possible when SAML single sign-on is enabled or has ever been configured; for some products SAML must still be active. Successful exploitation has been reported as pre-authentication and can result in code execution as NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM on Windows deployments, or root-level access on the web server in observed incidents.
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Impact, mitigation & remediation
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Impact
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Mitigation
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Remediation
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Exploits
2 valid exploits after Mallory filtered fakes, detection scripts, and README-only repos (1 hidden).
This repository is an exploit for CVE-2022-47966, targeting multiple ManageEngine products vulnerable to unauthenticated remote code execution via SAML SSO. The exploit is implemented in Python (main.py) and is part of the hgrab-framework. It takes a list of target URLs (in a file) and a command to execute as arguments. For each target, it crafts a malicious SAMLResponse XML containing an XSLT transform that leverages Java's Runtime.exec() to execute the supplied command on the server. The payload is sent via HTTP POST to the /SamlResponseServlet endpoint of the target. The exploit is operational, allowing arbitrary command execution if the target is vulnerable. The repository contains a README with usage instructions and a single exploit script (main.py).
This repository contains a proof-of-concept (POC) exploit for CVE-2022-47966, a pre-authentication remote code execution vulnerability affecting several ManageEngine products that use Apache Santuario (xmlsec) <= 1.4.1. The exploit is implemented in a single Python script (CVE-2022-47966.py) that crafts a malicious SAML response containing an XSLT transform. This transform abuses Java's Runtime.exec method to execute arbitrary commands on the target server. The script takes three arguments: the target SAML endpoint URL, the command to execute, and an optional SAML issuer. The README.md provides detailed usage instructions, affected product lists, technical analysis links, and example endpoints. The exploit targets network-accessible SAML endpoints and is effective against products that do not perform additional validation on SAML responses. The repository is structured simply, with one exploit script and a comprehensive README.
Affected products & vendors
Products and vendors Mallory has correlated with this vulnerability. Open in Mallory to drill down to specific CPE configurations and version ranges.
Vendor-confirmed product mapping. Mallory continuously reconciles this list against your asset inventory.
Recent activity
26 sources tracked across advisories, community write-ups, and news. New activity surfaces here as Mallory finds it.
A remote code execution vulnerability in Zoho ManageEngine products used by Storm-0501/Embargo affiliates for initial access into internet-facing applications.
A Zoho ManageEngine vulnerability referenced as previously exploited in Iran-affiliated threat campaigns and listed in CISA KEV.
Vulnerability referenced as being exploited by multiple nation-state threat actors (per AA23-250A reference).
An unauthenticated remote code execution vulnerability affecting ManageEngine products that may have been used to place webshells and gain initial access in one of the investigated ransomware incidents.
The version that knows your environment.
Query your assets running an affected version, and investigate the blast radius.
Every observed campaign linking this CVE to a named adversary.
Malware families riding this exploit, with evidence and IOCs.
YARA, Sigma, Snort, and vendor rules, auto-deployed to your SIEM.
Cross-references every affected SKU, including bundled OEM variants.
Community discussion across Reddit, Mastodon, and other social sources.