CVE-2021-37349 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

Nagios XI before version 5.8.5 is vulnerable to local privilege escalation due to insufficient input sanitization in cleaner.php.

Understanding CVE-2021-37349

This CVE highlights a security flaw in Nagios XI versions preceding 5.8.5, allowing local users to escalate their privileges on the system.

What is CVE-2021-37349?

The vulnerability in cleaner.php within Nagios XI prior to version 5.8.5 permits local users to escalate their privileges by executing malicious commands.

The Impact of CVE-2021-37349

Exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to unauthorized access, manipulation of sensitive data, and potential system compromise.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-37349

This section provides insights into the specific technical aspects of CVE-2021-37349.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw arises due to the lack of input sanitization in cleaner.php, enabling attackers to execute arbitrary commands and potentially gain elevated privileges.

Affected Systems and Versions

All Nagios XI versions before 5.8.5 are impacted by this privilege escalation vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Malicious actors can leverage this vulnerability by providing crafted input to cleaner.php, bypassing security mechanisms and executing unauthorized commands.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard systems against CVE-2021-37349 and similar security risks, certain mitigation strategies are recommended.

Immediate Steps to Take

It is advised to update Nagios XI to version 5.8.5 or newer to eliminate this vulnerability and enhance system security.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement robust input validation and sanitization mechanisms in web applications to mitigate the risk of privilege escalation attacks.

Patching and Updates

Regularly apply security patches and updates provided by Nagios to address known vulnerabilities and strengthen the overall security posture.