Fileless SockDetour backdoor targets U.S.

CVE-2021-40539 is a critical (CVSS 9.8) authentication bypass in the REST API of Zoho ManageEngine ADSelfService Plus, caused by use of an incorrectly resolved name or reference (CWE-706). An unauthenticated, network-adjacent or internet-reachable attacker sends specially crafted requests to the product's REST API, bypassing authentication, and can chain the bypass to full remote code execution with no privileges or user interaction required. Successful exploitation yields complete compromise of the self-service portal server (high impact to confidentiality, integrity and availability); public reporting and vendor notes document attackers dropping malicious code and web shells onto vulnerable servers. Any organization running ManageEngine ADSelfService Plus build 6113 or earlier is affected, which typically means enterprise Microsoft Active Directory environments running this widely deployed self-service password/SSO portal. Exploitation is confirmed in the wild: the flaw was added to CISA KEV on 2021-11-03 with known ransomware use, EPSS puts the 30-day exploitation probability at 99% (100th percentile), Microsoft warned that Chinese threat actors were actively exploiting it, a public proof-of-concept is available, and it ranked among CISA's most routinely exploited vulnerabilities.

Do: Immediately upgrade ManageEngine ADSelfService Plus to a fixed build newer than 6113 per the vendor's update instructions, as required by CISA. Because exploitation predates patching and the flaw has been used to drop malicious code, check ADSelfService Plus servers for web shells, unexpected scheduled tasks, and unexplained accounts/processes, and hunt for indicators from the published analyses. Where possible, restrict internet exposure of the ADSelfService Plus REST API while patching, prioritized for externally reachable instances.

CVE-2021-44077 is a critical (CVSS 9.8) unauthenticated remote code execution flaw in Zoho ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus, ServiceDesk Plus MSP, and SupportCenter Plus, rooted in missing authentication (CWE-306) on /RestAPI servlet URLs, specifically the ImportTechnicians action in the Struts configuration. A remote attacker can trigger it by sending crafted unauthenticated requests to the RestAPI endpoints, requiring no credentials or user interaction. Successful exploitation yields arbitrary code execution in the context of the application, giving attackers full control of the help desk server as a foothold for further network compromise. Any organization running affected versions before ServiceDesk Plus 11306, ServiceDesk Plus MSP 10530, or SupportCenter Plus 11014 is affected, particularly where the console is internet-facing. Exploitation is confirmed in the wild: the flaw was added to CISA's KEV on 2021-12-01, carries a 93.3% EPSS probability of near-term exploitation, and headlines point to active APT campaigns and mass exploitation against ManageEngine ServiceDesk deployments.

Do: Upgrade to the fixed releases: ServiceDesk Plus 11306 or later, ServiceDesk Plus MSP 10530 or later, and SupportCenter Plus 11014 or later, per vendor instructions (CISA KEV requires this action). Until patched, restrict or firewall internet access to /RestAPI endpoints, and review access logs for unauthenticated requests to the ImportTechnicians action along with unexpected processes, files, or webshells on the server. Given the 93.3% EPSS score, active APT exploitation, and concurrent zero-day activity against other ManageEngine products, treat exposed instances as potentially compromised and hunt for post-exploitation activity.