SecPod

Learn Search

Search across all Learn content

← Back to Security Research
Zoho Patches a Critical Vulnerability in ManageEngine Desktop Central

Zoho Patches a Critical Vulnerability in ManageEngine Desktop Central

Zoho Corporation has released patches for its ManageEngine Desktop Central and Desktop Central MSP solutions affected by CVE-2021-44757, a critical authentication bypass vulnerability. A reliable vulnerability management tool can solve these problems.

Jan 18, 2022By Pranav S2 min read

Zoho Corporation has released patches for its ManageEngine Desktop Central and Desktop Central MSP solutions affected by CVE-2021-44757, a critical authentication bypass vulnerability. A reliable vulnerability management tool can solve these problems.

Zoho ManageEngine Desktop Central is a unified endpoint management (UEM) solution that helps manage servers, laptops, desktops, smartphones, and tablets from a central location. However, a patch management tool is required to patch detected vulnerabilities.

According to the security advisorypublished, the “authentication bypass vulnerability in Desktop Central identified which, when exploited, can allow an attacker to read unauthorized data or write an arbitrary zip file in the Desktop Central server.” The vulnerability being tracked as CVE-2021-44757.

Zoho patches Critical Vulnerability on January 17, 2022; the fix is available in build 10.1.2137.9. The KB documents for Desktop Central and Desktop Central MSP are also present. Zoho recommends users follow the security hardening guidelines for Desktop Central and Desktop Central MSP. A security notification can also be in installations of Desktop Central urging users to upgrade to the latest version.

Oswald discovered and reported the vulnerability from SGLAB of Legends at Qi’anxin Group. However, It is not yet public knowledge if this vulnerability is in exploitation.

Recently, Zoho has fixed three other critical vulnerabilities in its ManageEngine products.

  • CVE-2021-44515: Authentication bypass vulnerability in Zoho ManageEngine Desktop Central.
  • CVE-2021-44077: Unauthenticated, remote code execution vulnerability in Zoho ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus, ServiceDesk Plus MSP, and SupportCenter Plus.
  • CVE-2021-40539: Authentication bypass vulnerability in Zoho ManageEngine ADSelfService Plus.

State-sponsored APT groups targeted these vulnerabilities and have been under active exploitation since October 2021. It is a high recommendationto apply the security patches and follow the security hardening guidelines by Zoho.

Affected Products

Zoho ManageEngine Desktop Central
Zoho ManageEngine Desktop Central MSP

Impact

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability allows an attacker to read unauthorized data or write an arbitrary zip file on the server.

Solution

Zoho ManageEngine Desktop Central build 10.1.2137.9.

SanerNow VM and SanerNow PM detect this vulnerability, Use SanerNow and keep your systems updated and secure.

Featured Posts

Open Beyond GitLab's Critical RCE: What CVE-2026-97229 Reveals About Exploitation, Patch Gaps, and Security Response
vulnerability researchBeyond GitLab's Critical RCE: What CVE-2026-97229 Reveals About Exploitation, Patch Gaps, and Security Response

CVE Research

Beyond GitLab's Critical RCE: What CVE-2026-97229 Reveals About Exploitation, Patch Gaps, and Security Response

Nov 6, 2026

Open Gorbag Targets Ukrainian Organizations with BeautyStealer and WinRAR Exploitation
malware researchGorbag Targets Ukrainian Organizations with BeautyStealer and WinRAR Exploitation

CVE Research

Gorbag Targets Ukrainian Organizations with BeautyStealer and WinRAR Exploitation

Gorbag uses spearphishing and weaponized WinRAR archives to deploy BeautyStealer against Ukrainian organizations. The malware steals browser credentials, VPN configuration files, and targeted documents before exfiltrating the data and deleting itself.

Nov 5, 2026

Open Synology NAS Under Siege: C3RB3R Ransomware Strikes Unpatched Devices
vulnerability researchSynology NAS Under Siege: C3RB3R Ransomware Strikes Unpatched Devices

CVE Research

Synology NAS Under Siege: C3RB3R Ransomware Strikes Unpatched Devices

Synology has warned customers about an ongoing wave of ransomware attacks targeting network-attached storage (NAS) devices running outdated versions of DiskStation Manager (DSM). The attacks have been associated with C3RB3R ransomware, a threat capable of encrypting stored files and demanding payment for their recovery.

Nov 4, 2026

Open CISA KEV Exploitation in October 2026: Threat Actors, CVEs and Attack Trend
threat intelligenceCISA KEV Exploitation in October 2026: Threat Actors, CVEs and Attack Trend

CVE Research

CISA KEV Exploitation in October 2026: Threat Actors, CVEs and Attack Trend

Nov 4, 2026