CVE-2021-20136 in ManageEngine Log360
Summary
by MITRE • 11/02/2021
ManageEngine Log360 Builds < 5235 are affected by an improper access control vulnerability allowing database configuration overwrite. An unauthenticated remote attacker can send a specially crafted message to Log360 to change its backend database to an attacker-controlled database and to force Log360 to restart. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to achieve remote code execution by replacing files executed by Log360 on startup.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/04/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-20136 affects ManageEngine Log360 builds prior to version 5235 and represents a critical improper access control flaw that undermines the security posture of the affected system. This vulnerability resides within the application's handling of database configuration updates and exposes a significant weakness in the authentication and authorization mechanisms. The flaw allows unauthenticated remote attackers to manipulate the backend database configuration without requiring any valid credentials or privileged access, fundamentally compromising the system's integrity and security model.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of incoming requests that modify database connection parameters. When an attacker sends a specially crafted message to the Log360 application, the system processes this request without proper authentication checks or access control verification. This allows the attacker to redirect the application's database connection to an attacker-controlled database instance, effectively hijacking the data persistence layer of the application. The vulnerability extends beyond simple database redirection as it also enables the attacker to force the application to restart, creating opportunities for additional exploitation vectors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, potentially leading to complete system compromise. By gaining the ability to overwrite database configurations, an attacker can establish persistence mechanisms within the system while simultaneously disrupting normal operations through forced restarts. The most concerning aspect of this vulnerability is its potential to enable remote code execution, as demonstrated by the ability to replace files executed by Log360 on startup. This creates a pathway for attackers to execute arbitrary code within the application's execution context, potentially leading to full system compromise and data exfiltration. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on Log360 for security information and event management, making it particularly dangerous for environments where security monitoring and log analysis are critical.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation through patching to version 5235 or later, which addresses the improper access control flaw. Additional mitigations include implementing network segmentation to restrict access to Log360 services, deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious database configuration changes, and conducting thorough security assessments of the application's network interfaces. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control in software systems, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and persistence, as attackers can leverage the database configuration overwrite to establish long-term access to the system while potentially executing code through startup file replacement mechanisms. Security teams should also consider implementing application firewalls and monitoring for unauthorized configuration changes to detect potential exploitation attempts.