CVE-2020-27989 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

Nagios XI before 5.7.5 is vulnerable to XSS in Dashboard Tools (Edit Dashboard).

Understanding CVE-2020-27989

Nagios XI before 5.7.5 is susceptible to a cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Dashboard Tools, specifically in the Edit Dashboard feature.

What is CVE-2020-27989?

This CVE identifies a security issue in Nagios XI versions prior to 5.7.5 that allows attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of an authenticated user's session.

The Impact of CVE-2020-27989

The XSS vulnerability in Nagios XI could lead to unauthorized access, data theft, and potential manipulation of the application's content, posing a significant risk to the confidentiality and integrity of the system.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-27989

Nagios XI before version 5.7.5 is affected by the following:

Vulnerability Description

Type: Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
Location: Dashboard Tools (Edit Dashboard)

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Nagios XI
Vendor: Nagios
Vulnerable Versions: < 5.7.5

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by an attacker injecting malicious scripts into input fields within the Dashboard Tools, which are then executed when accessed by other users.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2020-27989, consider the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade Nagios XI to version 5.7.5 or later to mitigate the XSS vulnerability.
Regularly monitor and review user-generated content within the Dashboard Tools to detect and prevent malicious script injections.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement input validation mechanisms to sanitize user inputs and prevent script injections.
Educate users on safe browsing practices and the risks associated with executing untrusted scripts.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates and patches released by Nagios to address vulnerabilities like XSS in a timely manner.