CVE-2018-10075 in EventLog Analyzer
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Zoho ManageEngine EventLog Analyzer 11.12 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the import logs feature.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/25/2020
The vulnerability CVE-2018-10075 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in Zoho ManageEngine EventLog Analyzer version 11.12 that exposes organizations to significant web application security risks. This vulnerability specifically affects the import logs functionality within the EventLog Analyzer platform, which is designed for centralized log management and security monitoring across enterprise environments. The issue arises from insufficient input validation and output sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly handle malicious user-supplied data during the log import process. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting specially formatted log entries or import files that contain malicious javascript code or html content, which then gets executed in the context of other users' browsers when they interact with the affected system.
The technical exploitation of this XSS vulnerability occurs through the import logs feature where user input is not adequately sanitized before being processed and displayed within the web interface. When an attacker successfully injects malicious content through the import mechanism, the payload executes in the browser of authenticated users who view the affected log data, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized administrative actions. This vulnerability falls under CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which is a fundamental web application security weakness that has been consistently identified as one of the top ten web application security risks by OWASP. The attack vector specifically aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 - Phishing via Service, where attackers leverage legitimate application features to deliver malicious payloads to unsuspecting users.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-10075 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to establish persistent access to enterprise environments where EventLog Analyzer is deployed. Organizations using this software may experience unauthorized access to sensitive log data, potential privilege escalation to administrative accounts, and the ability to monitor and manipulate security events that should remain protected. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in security operations centers where EventLog Analyzer is used for threat detection and incident response, as attackers could potentially hide their activities within the imported logs or manipulate security alerts to avoid detection. This makes the vulnerability especially dangerous for organizations that rely on comprehensive log management for security monitoring and compliance requirements.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-10075 should include immediate implementation of input validation controls and output encoding measures within the import logs functionality. Organizations should apply the vendor-provided security patches or updates released to address this vulnerability, as Zoho would have issued a fix for the specific XSS flaw. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of the EventLog Analyzer system, while regular security monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious import activities. Security teams should also implement web application firewalls and content security policies to prevent malicious script execution even if exploitation attempts occur. Additionally, user education and awareness programs should emphasize the importance of verifying log import sources and monitoring for unusual system behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical need for comprehensive input validation across all user-supplied data entry points in web applications, aligning with security best practices outlined in NIST SP 800-163 and ISO 27001 standards for information security management.