CVE-2020-28910 : What You Need to Know

Nagios XI 5.7.5 and earlier versions are vulnerable to privilege escalation due to insecure permissions in temporary directories.

Understanding CVE-2020-28910

This CVE highlights a security issue in Nagios XI versions 5.7.5 and below that could lead to privilege escalation through symlink manipulation.

What is CVE-2020-28910?

The vulnerability involves the creation of a temporary directory with insecure permissions in Nagios XI 5.7.5 and earlier versions. Attackers can exploit this by creating symlinks that are mishandled in the getprofile.sh script.

The Impact of CVE-2020-28910

The vulnerability allows malicious actors to escalate their privileges on the affected system, potentially leading to unauthorized access and control.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-28910

This section delves into the technical aspects of the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw arises from the insecure handling of temporary directories in Nagios XI, specifically in the getprofile.sh script, enabling privilege escalation.

Affected Systems and Versions

Nagios XI 5.7.5 and earlier versions are impacted by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by creating symlinks in the temporary directory, which are not properly managed in the getprofile.sh script.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2020-28910 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Nagios XI to the latest version to patch the vulnerability.
Monitor system logs for any suspicious symlink creation activities.
Restrict access to sensitive directories to prevent unauthorized symlink creation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly audit and review directory permissions to ensure they are secure.
Implement the principle of least privilege to restrict user capabilities.
Conduct security training for personnel to recognize and respond to symlink attacks.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches and updates provided by Nagios to address the vulnerability and enhance system security.