CVE-2021-25298 : Security Advisory and Response

A detailed analysis of the OS command injection vulnerability affecting Nagios XI version xi-5.7.5.

Understanding CVE-2021-25298

This article explores the impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-25298.

What is CVE-2021-25298?

The vulnerability exists in /usr/local/nagiosxi/html/includes/configwizards/cloud-vm/cloud-vm.inc.php due to improper sanitization of authenticated user input, allowing OS command injection on the Nagios XI server.

The Impact of CVE-2021-25298

Exploitation of this vulnerability could enable an attacker to execute arbitrary commands on the affected Nagios XI server, potentially leading to unauthorized access.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-25298

Explore the specific details related to the vulnerability in this section.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from the inadequate sanitization of user-controlled input, allowing attackers to inject and execute arbitrary OS commands on the Nagios XI server.

Affected Systems and Versions

Nagios XI version xi-5.7.5 is confirmed to be impacted by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

An attacker can exploit this issue by sending a specially crafted HTTP request containing malicious commands, leading to the execution of unauthorized operations on the Nagios XI server.

Mitigation and Prevention

Discover the immediate steps and long-term security practices to safeguard systems against CVE-2021-25298.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Nagios XI to a patched version that addresses the OS command injection vulnerability.
Implement strict input validation mechanisms to prevent malicious input from being processed.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly audit and monitor system logs for any suspicious activities or signs of unauthorized access.
Conduct security training for personnel to enhance awareness of common attack vectors like command injections.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security patches and updates released by Nagios to address known vulnerabilities and apply them promptly to mitigate risks.