CVE-2011-1523 in Nagios
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in statusmap.c in statusmap.cgi in Nagios 3.2.3 and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the layer parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/05/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1523 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Nagios network monitoring system version 3.2.3 and earlier. This security weakness resides in the statusmap.c component of the statusmap.cgi script, which is responsible for rendering network status visualizations and maps within the Nagios web interface. The vulnerability specifically affects the layer parameter handling, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of authenticated user sessions.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the statusmap.cgi script. When the layer parameter is processed without proper encoding or filtering, malicious payloads can be injected directly into the web application's response. This occurs because the application fails to escape special characters or validate user-supplied input before incorporating it into dynamic HTML content. The vulnerability manifests when a remote attacker crafts a malicious URL containing crafted script tags or HTML elements within the layer parameter, which are then executed in the browser of any user who accesses the affected page.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can lead to significant security compromise within monitored environments. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can hijack user sessions, steal authentication credentials, redirect users to malicious sites, or even execute administrative commands within the Nagios interface if the victim has elevated privileges. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires no authentication to initiate, making it accessible to anyone who can reach the Nagios web interface. This vulnerability undermines the integrity of the monitoring system and can provide attackers with insights into the network infrastructure, potentially enabling further attacks against the monitored systems.
Organizations utilizing affected Nagios versions face substantial risk from this vulnerability, as it directly impacts the security posture of their network monitoring capabilities. The presence of such a flaw in monitoring software creates a paradoxical situation where the tool meant to detect and alert on security issues becomes a potential entry point for attackers. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting as a code quality issue that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web applications. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1566 (Phishing) and T1071.004 (Application Layer Protocol: DNS) as attackers can leverage it to establish persistent access or conduct reconnaissance activities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-1523 should prioritize immediate remediation through upgrading to Nagios version 3.2.4 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the input validation issues. System administrators should also implement additional protective measures including web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious payloads targeting XSS vulnerabilities, input validation at the application level, and regular security assessments of web interfaces. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of defense by restricting script execution within the browser context. Organizations should also consider disabling unnecessary CGI scripts and implementing proper access controls to limit exposure of vulnerable components. Regular patch management and vulnerability scanning should be maintained to prevent similar issues from arising in other components of the monitoring infrastructure.