CVE-2010-4840 in EventLog Analyzer
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple buffer overflows in the Syslog server in ManageEngine EventLog Analyzer 6.1 allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (SysEvttCol.exe process crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via a long Syslog PRI message header to UDP port (1) 513 or (2) 514.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/20/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-4840 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw in ManageEngine EventLog Analyzer version 6.1 within its Syslog server component. This vulnerability specifically affects the SysEvttCol.exe process responsible for handling Syslog messages, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on this log management solution. The issue stems from insufficient input validation when processing Syslog PRI (Priority Information) message headers, which are essential components of Syslog protocol communication used for identifying message severity and facility.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through the improper handling of Syslog PRI values that exceed allocated buffer sizes when received via UDP protocol on ports 513 or 514. These ports are standard for Syslog communication, with port 514 being the primary Syslog port and port 513 serving as an alternative. When a malicious actor sends a specially crafted Syslog message containing an excessively long PRI header, the Syslog server process fails to properly validate the input length, leading to memory corruption that manifests as either process termination or potential code execution. The buffer overflow vulnerability maps directly to CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it potentially enables remote code execution capabilities that could allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to the affected system. The Syslog server process crash creates immediate availability issues for log collection and monitoring functions, disrupting critical security operations that depend on centralized logging infrastructure. Organizations utilizing EventLog Analyzer for security event correlation and compliance reporting face significant operational risks when this vulnerability remains unpatched, as attackers could exploit it to compromise the entire logging infrastructure or gain elevated privileges on the system. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require local access to the system, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where Syslog servers are exposed to external traffic.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-4840 should prioritize immediate patch deployment from ManageEngine, as this vulnerability has been widely exploited in the wild. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to restrict UDP port 513 and 514 access to trusted sources only, utilizing firewall rules and network access control lists. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by running the SysEvttCol.exe process with minimal required permissions and implementing process isolation techniques. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual Syslog traffic patterns and abnormal message lengths that could indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems capable of identifying malicious Syslog traffic patterns and establishing network-based security controls that validate Syslog message integrity before processing. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework would include techniques related to privilege escalation and execution through system services, making comprehensive monitoring and defense-in-depth strategies essential for mitigating the risk of exploitation.