CVE-2020-28900 : What You Need to Know

Nagios Fusion and Nagios XI are affected by an Insufficient Verification of Data Authenticity vulnerability, potentially leading to Privilege Escalation or Code Execution as root.

Understanding CVE-2020-28900

This CVE identifies a security issue in Nagios Fusion 4.1.8 and earlier, as well as Nagios XI 5.7.5 and earlier, that could allow malicious actors to exploit untrusted update packages.

What is CVE-2020-28900?

The vulnerability in Nagios Fusion and Nagios XI versions prior to 4.1.8 and 5.7.5, respectively, enables attackers to escalate privileges or execute code as root by manipulating update packages.

The Impact of CVE-2020-28900

The vulnerability poses a significant risk as it could result in unauthorized privilege escalation or the execution of malicious code with root-level permissions.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-28900

This section delves into the specific technical aspects of the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw arises from insufficient verification of data authenticity in Nagios Fusion and Nagios XI, allowing attackers to exploit untrusted update packages, particularly the upgrade_to_latest.sh script.

Affected Systems and Versions

Nagios Fusion 4.1.8 and earlier
Nagios XI 5.7.5 and earlier

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can leverage the vulnerability by introducing malicious content within update packages, tricking the system into executing unauthorized commands with elevated privileges.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2020-28900 requires immediate actions and long-term security measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Disable any unnecessary services or features to reduce the attack surface
Monitor system logs for any suspicious activities or unauthorized access attempts
Implement network segmentation to limit the impact of potential breaches

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update Nagios Fusion and Nagios XI to the latest versions to patch known vulnerabilities
Conduct security assessments and penetration testing to identify and address potential weaknesses
Educate system administrators and users on best security practices to prevent similar exploits

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches provided by Nagios for Fusion and XI to address the vulnerability
Stay informed about security advisories and updates from Nagios to promptly address any new vulnerabilities