Overview
Nexpose by Rapid7 is a powerful vulnerability scanner used to identify and prioritize security risks across endpoints, servers, and network infrastructure. However, without centralized analytics and correlation, vulnerability data often remains underutilized. ManageEngine Log360 bridges this gap by integrating with Nexpose to offer comprehensive visibility into scan results, threat exposure, and remediation effectiveness.
With Log360, organizations can monitor Nexpose logs alongside system events, user activities, and threat intelligence—enabling smarter risk prioritization, deeper investigation, and faster response. Whether you're tracking high-risk assets or measuring vulnerability trends for compliance, Log360 makes Nexpose data actionable within a unified SIEM environment.
How Log360 collects and analyzes Nexpose data
Log360 integrates with Nexpose through secure file-based imports that retrieve scan data, asset details, and vulnerability metrics on a scheduled basis.
Collection methods
- File-based imports: Exported Nexpose reports (CSV/XML) containing scan data, asset risk scores, and remediation status can be securely uploaded to Log360 for storage and analysis.
- Syslog forwarding (where applicable): In certain setups, alert and event summaries from Nexpose can be ingested into Log360 as raw syslog logs for archival and basic visibility.
Log processing pipeline
Once ingested, Nexpose data is parsed, normalized, and enriched with risk metadata. Log360 maps vulnerability identifiers, CVE details, asset tags, and remediation timelines to specific systems or users, enabling advanced analytics, alerts, and reports.
Monitoring capabilities
Log360 collects and analyzes key Nexpose vulnerability data, including:
- Asset risk ratings: Real-time tracking of asset exposure, based on factors like CVSS scores, exploit availability, and criticality.
- Vulnerability findings: List of vulnerabilities identified on each asset, categorized by severity, exploitability, and fix availability.
- Remediation tracking: Status of open versus closed vulnerabilities, patch recommendations, and time-to-remediate metrics.
- Threat correlation: Identification of vulnerable assets with active exploits or suspicious user behavior based on correlation with system and network logs.
Critical Nexpose events monitored
- Asset discovery: New assets added, asset categorization changes, and risk score variations
- Vulnerability detection: Vulnerability name, CVE ID, severity, solution type, detection date
- Remediation activity: Patches applied, vulnerability re-checks passed/failed
- Risk trend changes: Asset risk score escalations, exploit availability flagged
Key benefits of integrating Nexpose with Log360
- Centralized vulnerability visibility: View and correlate Nexpose data across all endpoints and servers from one dashboard.
- Risk-based alerting: Trigger alerts when critical vulnerabilities are found on sensitive systems or remain unpatched beyond policy thresholds.
- Faster response workflows: Investigate threats using a timeline of vulnerability discoveries, user activity, and system events.
- Prioritized remediation: Use contextual asset risk scores and exploitability to prioritize fixes.
- Compliance alignment: Generate audit-ready reports that map to regulatory controls like the PCI DSS, HIPAA, and ISO 27001.
Addressing vulnerability management challenges
ManageEngine Log360 effectively resolves common challenges faced in Nexpose reporting and vulnerability management. Here's how:
| Challenges |
How Log360 helps |
| Incomplete risk visibility |
Correlates Nexpose vulnerability data with endpoint and server logs |
| Delayed patching |
Sends real-time alerts for unpatched critical vulnerabilities |
| Difficulty prioritizing remediation |
Uses risk scores, CVSS ratings, and asset value to drive patch prioritization |
| Compliance complexity |
Provides filtered, exportable reports that align with regulatory mandates |
| Limited incident context |
Enriches vulnerability alerts with user, system, and threat context for deeper investigations |
The Log360 advantage: Beyond vulnerability reports
- Unified SIEM context: Place Nexpose findings alongside login attempts, system changes, and anomalous behavior for end-to-end visibility.
- UEBA-powered insights: Identify risky users accessing vulnerable systems by leveraging behavior analytics.
- Threat intelligence integration: Automatically match detected vulnerabilities with known IoCs and exploit patterns.
- Cross-platform analytics: Correlate Nexpose logs with events from Active Directory, firewalls, cloud services, and more.
