CVE-2008-1538 in EventLog Analyzer
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in searchAction.do in ManageEngine EventLog Analyzer 5 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the searchText parameter. NOTE: the provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained solely from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/12/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-1538 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within ManageEngine EventLog Analyzer version 5, specifically affecting the searchAction.do component. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which occurs when an application incorporates untrusted data into web pages without proper validation or encoding. The affected parameter searchText in the searchAction.do script creates an injection point that allows malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it exists in a security monitoring tool where users would typically trust the application's output, making the attack vector more insidious.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to craft a malicious payload containing script code and inject it through the searchText parameter when making requests to the searchAction.do endpoint. When the application processes this input without adequate sanitization or output encoding, the malicious script gets stored or executed within the user's browser session. This creates a persistent threat where any user who views the search results or interacts with the vulnerable page could be compromised. The attack can lead to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious websites, particularly since EventLog Analyzer is designed to monitor and analyze security events, making it a valuable target for attackers seeking to gain unauthorized access to security infrastructure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it undermines the integrity of the security monitoring system itself. Security administrators who rely on EventLog Analyzer for threat detection could be compromised through this vector, potentially allowing attackers to hide their activities within the monitored logs or manipulate the system's output to avoid detection. The vulnerability affects the application's ability to provide trustworthy security information, creating a false sense of security for users who depend on the system for event log analysis and threat identification. This represents a critical flaw in the security posture of organizations using this tool, as it allows attackers to bypass the very security controls that the application is designed to enforce. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it exists in a tool specifically designed for security monitoring, making it a prime target for adversaries seeking to compromise security infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate input validation and output encoding measures within the searchAction.do component. Implementing proper parameter sanitization and HTML encoding of user-supplied input before rendering in web pages would prevent script injection attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution capabilities and deploy web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell, though the specific attack vector involves HTML/JavaScript injection rather than PowerShell commands. Regular security updates and patches should be applied to ensure the application remains protected against known vulnerabilities, while also implementing proper security monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. System administrators should also conduct thorough input validation testing and consider implementing additional security controls such as input length restrictions and character set validation to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other components of the application.