# CVE-2016-9498: ManageEngine Applications Manager 12 and 13, allows unserialization of unsafe Java objects

> Remote attackers can execute arbitrary code and gain system administrator privileges via unsafe Java object deserialization in ManageEngine Applications Manager.

- **Severity:** Critical 9.8 (`CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 13 Jul 2018
- **Updated:** 6 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-c3x4-w2jm-v6m5

## What is CVE-2016-9498?

CVE-2016-9498 is a critical unsafe deserialization vulnerability in Zohocorp Manageengine Applications Manager, published on 13 Jul 2018. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

ManageEngine Applications Manager 12 and 13 before build 13200, allows unserialization of unsafe Java objects. The vulnerability can be exploited by remote user without authentication and it allows to execute remote code compromising the application as well as the operating system. As Application Manager's RMI registry is running with privileges of system administrator, by exploiting this vulnerability an attacker gains highest privileges on the underlying operating system.

Weakness: CWE-502 (Deserialization of Untrusted Data)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2016-9498?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Zohocorp Manageengine Applications Manager.

## How do I fix CVE-2016-9498?

No fix has been published for CVE-2016-9498 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2016-9498 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2016-9498 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-2016-9498 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2016-9498 is a critical unsafe deserialization vulnerability in Zohocorp Manageengine Applications Manager, published on 13 Jul 2018. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2016-9498 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-2016-9498/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2016-9498/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2016-9498
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-9498
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2016-9498

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2016-9498/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.