CVE-2025-9428: ManageEngine Analytics Plus SQLi Flaw

CVE-2025-9428 Overview

CVE-2025-9428 is an authenticated SQL injection vulnerability affecting Zohocorp ManageEngine Analytics Plus versions 6171 and prior. The flaw resides in the key update API, where user-supplied input reaches a SQL statement without proper sanitization. Authenticated attackers can manipulate database queries to read, modify, or delete data within the Analytics Plus backend. The vulnerability is tracked under CWE-89: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command. Zohocorp has published a vendor advisory and a fixed build. The EPSS score is 2.303% (percentile 85.02), indicating elevated exploitation likelihood relative to most CVEs.

Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers can inject arbitrary SQL through the key update API, compromising confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the Analytics Plus database.

Affected Products

Zohocorp ManageEngine Analytics Plus version 6171 and prior
Builds 6100 through 6170 on the 6.1 release line
All deployments exposing the key update API to authenticated users

Discovery Timeline

2025-10-21 - CVE-2025-9428 published to NVD
2025-10-23 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-9428

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability is an authenticated SQL injection in the key update API of ManageEngine Analytics Plus. The API endpoint accepts parameters that are concatenated into a SQL query without parameterization or adequate input validation. An attacker holding valid low-privilege credentials can submit crafted payloads through the API to alter the query's logic. Successful exploitation allows the attacker to extract sensitive data, modify analytics records, or escalate impact through stacked queries depending on the database backend. Because the attack vector is network-based and complexity is low, exploitation requires only network reachability and a valid session.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper neutralization of special characters in SQL statements [CWE-89]. The key update API constructs queries by concatenating untrusted input rather than using prepared statements or bound parameters. Input filtering on this endpoint does not catch SQL metacharacters or comment sequences that change query semantics.

Attack Vector

Exploitation requires authentication to the Analytics Plus application. Once authenticated, the attacker sends a crafted HTTP request to the key update API containing SQL injection payloads in vulnerable parameters. The backend executes the modified query under the privileges of the application's database account. No user interaction is required beyond the attacker's own authenticated session.

No verified proof-of-concept code is publicly available. Refer to the ManageEngine CVE-2025-9428 Analysis for vendor-confirmed technical context.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-9428

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected HTTP requests to the Analytics Plus key update API containing SQL metacharacters such as single quotes, UNION, SELECT, --, or ;
Database errors or anomalous query execution times logged by the Analytics Plus application
Authenticated sessions originating from unusual source IPs accessing administrative APIs
New or modified rows in sensitive Analytics Plus tables without a corresponding administrative action

Detection Strategies

Inspect application and web server logs for requests targeting the key update API with encoded SQL syntax
Deploy database activity monitoring to flag query patterns inconsistent with normal Analytics Plus behavior
Apply web application firewall (WAF) signatures for SQL injection patterns against ManageEngine endpoints
Correlate authentication events with API access bursts to identify abuse of valid credentials

Monitoring Recommendations

Enable verbose API logging on Analytics Plus and forward logs to a central SIEM for retention and correlation
Alert on failed SQL queries and database error responses returned to authenticated users
Monitor outbound connections from the Analytics Plus host for signs of data staging or exfiltration

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-9428

Immediate Actions Required

Upgrade ManageEngine Analytics Plus to the fixed build released by Zohocorp after version 6171
Audit all Analytics Plus user accounts and revoke unused or low-trust credentials with API access
Restrict network access to the Analytics Plus management interface to trusted administrative networks
Rotate database credentials used by the application after patching to invalidate any harvested secrets

Patch Information

Zohocorp has issued a security patch addressing the SQL injection in the key update API. Administrators should review the ManageEngine CVE-2025-9428 advisory for the fixed build number and upgrade instructions. Apply the update on all production and staging instances running Analytics Plus 6.1 builds up to 6171.

Workarounds

Block external access to the key update API at the reverse proxy or WAF layer until the patch is applied
Enforce least-privilege roles so non-administrative users cannot invoke the affected API
Apply database account separation so the Analytics Plus service uses an account without DROP or schema-modification rights

bash

# Example WAF rule to block SQL metacharacters on the key update API
SecRule REQUEST_URI "@contains /api/key/update" \
  "phase:2,deny,status:403,id:1009428,\
   chain,msg:'Block potential SQLi targeting CVE-2025-9428'"
  SecRule ARGS "@rx (?i)(union\s+select|--|;|/\*|xp_)" "t:none,t:urlDecode"