CVE-2017-11686 in Event Log Analyzer
Summary
by MITRE
Zoho ManageEngine Event Log Analyzer 11.4 and 11.5 allows remote attackers to obtain an authenticated user's password via XSS vulnerabilities or sniffing non-SSL traffic on the network, because the password is represented in a cookie with a reversible encoding method.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/01/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-11686 affects Zoho ManageEngine Event Log Analyzer versions 11.4 and 11.5, representing a critical security flaw that compromises user authentication mechanisms through multiple attack vectors. This vulnerability resides within the authentication and session management components of the web application, specifically targeting how password credentials are handled and transmitted within the system. The flaw creates a pathway for remote attackers to escalate privileges and gain unauthorized access to user accounts, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where sensitive log data and system monitoring information are processed.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of authentication tokens and session management practices within the Event Log Analyzer application. When users authenticate to the system, their password credentials are encoded and stored within HTTP cookies using a reversible encoding method rather than proper cryptographic hashing or encryption techniques. This design flaw allows attackers to decode the encoded password values directly from the cookies, effectively bypassing the normal authentication process. The vulnerability manifests through cross-site scripting attacks that enable attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by authenticated users, or through network traffic sniffing when non-SSL connections are used, as the password information remains accessible in clear text within the cookie values.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-11686 extends beyond simple credential theft, creating significant risks for organizations relying on Zoho ManageEngine Event Log Analyzer for security monitoring and compliance purposes. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can gain persistent access to the system, potentially compromising the integrity of log data, accessing sensitive security information, and conducting further attacks within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects the core authentication mechanism, meaning that any authenticated user session can be hijacked, leading to potential data breaches, unauthorized system modifications, and complete compromise of the security monitoring capabilities that the Event Log Analyzer is designed to provide. Organizations may face regulatory compliance issues if sensitive log data becomes accessible to unauthorized parties due to this vulnerability.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with CWE-312 (Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information) and CWE-319 (Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information) categories, while also mapping to ATT&CK techniques involving credential access and privilege escalation. The vulnerability demonstrates poor security practices in session management and data protection, violating fundamental security principles such as the principle of least privilege and secure credential handling. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including enforcing SSL/TLS encryption for all communications, implementing proper session management with secure cookie attributes, and ensuring that sensitive information is never stored in reversible formats within client-side cookies. Additionally, regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar flaws in other enterprise applications and systems. The incident highlights the critical importance of proper cryptographic implementation and secure coding practices in enterprise security applications, particularly those handling sensitive authentication data and security monitoring information.