# CVE-2016-9491: XML external entity in Applications Manager

> Authenticated attackers can exploit XML external entity flaws to read sensitive system files and configuration data, potentially leading to privilege escalation.

- **Severity:** Medium 4.9 (`CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** An administrator
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 13 Jul 2018
- **Updated:** 6 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-9f95-rp9g-wg85

## What is CVE-2016-9491?

CVE-2016-9491 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Zohocorp Manageengine Applications Manager, published on 13 Jul 2018. An attacker needs administrator access to exploit it, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

ManageEngine Applications Manager 12 and 13 before build 13690 allows an authenticated user, who is able to access /register.do page (most likely limited to administrator), to browse the filesystem and read the system files, including Applications Manager configuration, stored private keys, etc. By default Application Manager is running with administrative privileges, therefore it is possible to access every directory on the underlying operating system.

Weakness: CWE-200 (Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor), CWE-611 (Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2016-9491?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Zohocorp Manageengine Applications Manager.

## How do I fix CVE-2016-9491?

No fix has been published for CVE-2016-9491 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2016-9491 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2016-9491 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in Zohocorp Manageengine Applications Manager

- [CVE-2020-24743](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-24743/): Privilege escalation in n/a (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2020-27995](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-27995/): SQL injection in n/a (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2020-15533](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-15533/): SQL injection in n/a (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2020-15394](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-15394/): SQL injection in n/a (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2019-19649](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-19649/): SQL injection in n/a (critical 9.8)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2016-9491 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2016-9491 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Zohocorp Manageengine Applications Manager, published on 13 Jul 2018. An attacker needs administrator access to exploit it, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2016-9491 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: Zohocorp Manageengine Applications Manager. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2016-9491/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2016-9491/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2016-9491
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-9491
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2016-9491

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2016-9491/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.