CVE-2026-12264: ManageEngine DDI Central RCE Vulnerability

CVE-2026-12264 Overview

CVE-2026-12264 affects Zohocorp ManageEngine DDI Central versions before build 6201. The vulnerability allows an authenticated attacker to write arbitrary files through the High Availability (HA) Failover configuration sync upload functionality. Successful exploitation results in remote code execution on the affected server.

The flaw is classified under CWE-434: Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type. It carries a CVSS 3.1 score of 8.8 and requires only low-privilege authentication over the network. The Exploit Prediction Scoring System (EPSS) rates the probability of exploitation at 1.951% (79.4th percentile).

Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers can upload malicious files via the HA Failover sync endpoint and achieve remote code execution, compromising confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the DDI Central server.

Affected Products

Zohocorp ManageEngine DDI Central versions prior to build 6201
DNS, DHCP, and IP Address Management (DDI) deployments relying on HA Failover configuration sync
Any environment running vulnerable DDI Central builds exposed to authenticated internal users

Discovery Timeline

2026-09-28 - CVE-2026-12264 published to NVD
2026-09-29 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-12264

Vulnerability Analysis

ManageEngine DDI Central provides DNS, DHCP, and IP Address Management capabilities. The product supports High Availability (HA) through a failover mechanism that synchronizes configuration between primary and secondary nodes. The sync process accepts uploaded configuration bundles from authenticated users.

The upload handler fails to validate the type, extension, or destination path of files submitted through the HA Failover sync interface. An authenticated attacker can abuse this handler to place arbitrary files anywhere the application process can write. By writing an executable script or server-interpreted file to a web-accessible or auto-loaded location, the attacker achieves remote code execution in the context of the DDI Central service account.

Because DDI Central typically runs with elevated privileges to manage DNS and DHCP services, successful exploitation grants broad control over network infrastructure services and the underlying host.

Root Cause

The root cause is unrestricted file upload [CWE-434] in the HA Failover configuration sync routine. The handler does not enforce allowlists for file extensions, does not sanitize destination paths, and does not verify that uploaded content matches the expected configuration format. These missing controls permit arbitrary file write.

Attack Vector

Exploitation requires network access to the DDI Central management interface and valid low-privilege credentials. The attacker submits a crafted multipart upload to the HA sync endpoint, specifying a file name and content that causes the server to persist a payload at an attacker-chosen path. Once the file is written, the attacker triggers execution through a subsequent request to the deployed payload.

Refer to the ManageEngine Security Updates advisory for vendor technical details.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-12264

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected files written under DDI Central web directories, configuration folders, or temporary paths with executable or script extensions such as .jsp, .sh, .py, or .bat
HTTP requests to HA Failover sync endpoints containing multipart uploads with suspicious file names or path traversal sequences such as ../
New or modified child processes spawned by the DDI Central service account outside of normal operational patterns

Detection Strategies

Monitor DDI Central application and HTTP access logs for POST requests to HA Failover sync endpoints originating from unexpected accounts or source IP addresses
Enable file integrity monitoring on DDI Central installation directories to flag newly created or modified files between patch cycles
Correlate authentication events with file write and process-execution telemetry on the DDI Central host to surface post-authentication abuse

Monitoring Recommendations

Alert on outbound network connections initiated by the DDI Central service process, particularly to non-ManageEngine infrastructure
Baseline normal HA Failover sync activity, including frequency, source nodes, and payload size, and alert on deviations
Review DDI Central user activity logs for anomalous low-privilege account behavior targeting administrative endpoints

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-12264

Immediate Actions Required

Upgrade Zohocorp ManageEngine DDI Central to build 6201 or later as specified in the vendor advisory
Audit DDI Central user accounts and rotate credentials for any account that could reach the HA Failover sync functionality
Restrict network access to the DDI Central management interface to trusted administrative networks only

Patch Information

Zohocorp has released a fixed build of ManageEngine DDI Central addressing the arbitrary file write issue. Administrators should apply the update referenced in the ManageEngine Security Updates advisory and verify the installed build number is 6201 or higher after upgrade.

Workarounds

If immediate patching is not possible, disable or isolate the HA Failover configuration sync functionality until the update is applied
Place the DDI Central management interface behind a VPN or network access control list that limits connections to administrator workstations
Enforce least-privilege role assignments within DDI Central so that only required administrators retain access to failover and configuration features

bash

# Verify installed DDI Central build and restrict management access
# 1. Confirm installed build is 6201 or later
cat /opt/ManageEngine/DDI/conf/BuildInfo.conf | grep -i build

# 2. Restrict management interface to administrative subnet (example iptables rule)
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 8443 -s 10.0.0.0/24 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 8443 -j DROP