CVE-2025-10020 Overview
CVE-2025-10020 is an authenticated command injection vulnerability in Zohocorp ManageEngine ADManager Plus versions prior to build 8024. The flaw resides in the Custom Script component, which fails to properly neutralize special elements passed to a downstream command. Authenticated attackers with low-privilege access can inject operating system commands that execute in the context of the ADManager Plus service. The weakness is classified under CWE-77: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command.
Critical Impact
Successful exploitation grants attackers code execution on the host running ADManager Plus, a privileged Active Directory management server, enabling lateral movement into the directory infrastructure.
Affected Products
- Zohocorp ManageEngine ADManager Plus builds 8001, 8002, 8010, 8011, 8012
- Zohocorp ManageEngine ADManager Plus builds 8020, 8021, 8022, 8023
- All ADManager Plus versions prior to build 8024
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-10-21 - CVE-2025-10020 published to the National Vulnerability Database
- 2025-10-21 - Zohocorp publishes advisory and fixed build 8024
- 2025-10-24 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-10020
Vulnerability Analysis
ADManager Plus is a web-based Active Directory, Microsoft 365, and Exchange management product. The Custom Script feature lets administrators run scripts as part of automation workflows and user-provisioning templates. The vulnerable component does not sanitize user-supplied input before passing it to the underlying shell or scripting interpreter, allowing command separators and shell metacharacters to break out of the intended command context.
An authenticated attacker with access to the Custom Script functionality can append arbitrary commands to legitimate script parameters. Those commands execute with the privileges of the ADManager Plus service account, which typically holds extensive rights over Active Directory. Because ADManager Plus is commonly deployed on a Windows server tightly integrated with domain controllers, code execution on this host represents a direct path to domain compromise.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper neutralization of special elements used in a command [CWE-77]. The Custom Script handler concatenates attacker-controlled input into a command string without validating, escaping, or parameterizing the values. Shell metacharacters such as &, |, ;, and backticks are interpreted by the executing shell rather than treated as literal data.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires network access to the ADManager Plus web interface and a valid authenticated session with permission to configure or invoke Custom Scripts. The attacker submits a crafted payload through the Custom Script parameters. The injected commands execute server-side under the service account, with no user interaction required beyond the attacker's own actions. See the ManageEngine CVE-2025-10020 Advisory for vendor-specific exploitation context.
No public proof-of-concept exploit code is currently available for this vulnerability, and it is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-10020
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected child processes spawned by the ADManager Plus Java process or service account, particularly cmd.exe, powershell.exe, or wscript.exe.
- Anomalous outbound network connections from the ADManager Plus host to attacker-controlled infrastructure.
- New scheduled tasks, services, or local accounts created on the ADManager Plus server outside change windows.
- Modifications to Custom Script configurations or automation templates by non-administrative users.
Detection Strategies
- Monitor process lineage on the ADManager Plus host and flag shell or scripting interpreters spawned by the application's runtime.
- Audit ADManager Plus application logs for Custom Script invocations containing shell metacharacters such as ;, |, &&, or backticks.
- Correlate authentication events against Custom Script usage to identify low-privilege accounts triggering script execution.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable verbose logging for the ADManager Plus Custom Script component and forward events to a centralized SIEM.
- Track outbound network traffic from the ADManager Plus server and alert on connections to non-corporate destinations.
- Review privileged Active Directory changes initiated by the ADManager Plus service account for anomalies following any suspicious script activity.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-10020
Immediate Actions Required
- Upgrade ADManager Plus to build 8024 or later using the vendor's service pack installer.
- Restrict access to the ADManager Plus web console to trusted administrative networks only.
- Audit all user accounts with permission to configure or execute Custom Scripts and remove unnecessary privileges.
- Rotate the ADManager Plus service account credentials and any secrets stored within the product following the upgrade.
Patch Information
Zohocorp has released ADManager Plus build 8024, which addresses the command injection by properly sanitizing input passed to the Custom Script component. Detailed upgrade instructions and the patched binaries are available in the ManageEngine CVE-2025-10020 Advisory.
Workarounds
- Disable the Custom Script feature in ADManager Plus until the patch can be applied.
- Enforce role-based access control so that only a small set of trusted administrators can author or invoke Custom Scripts.
- Place the ADManager Plus management interface behind a VPN or jump host to limit network exposure to authenticated attackers.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
