CVE-2012-10063 in Nagios
Summary
by MITRE • 10/31/2025
Nagios XI versions prior to 2012R1.3 contain a SQL injection vulnerability in the legacy Core Configuration Manager (CCM) interface. Authenticated users could manipulate SQL queries by supplying crafted input to specific CCM parameters, potentially allowing access to configuration data stored in the application database. Successful exploitation could disclose or modify notification data and, in some cases, impact the application database more broadly.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/08/2025
The vulnerability CVE-2012-10063 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the legacy Core Configuration Manager interface of Nagios XI versions before 2012R1.3. This weakness arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the web application's database interaction layer, specifically affecting the configuration management functionality that handles user-supplied parameters. The issue manifests when authenticated users submit maliciously crafted input to particular CCM parameters, which then get incorporated into SQL queries without proper escaping or parameterization. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-89 category of SQL Injection, a well-documented weakness that consistently ranks among the top cybersecurity risks according to OWASP Top Ten and NIST Cybersecurity Framework. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires only authenticated access, meaning that users with legitimate credentials can exploit this flaw to gain unauthorized database access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the application's failure to properly sanitize user input before incorporating it into database queries executed through the legacy CCM interface. When an authenticated user submits crafted parameters, the application processes these inputs directly within SQL command strings, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate the intended query execution flow. This allows for arbitrary SQL command execution that can be leveraged to extract sensitive configuration data, modify notification settings, and potentially gain broader access to the application's underlying database infrastructure. The impact extends beyond simple data disclosure as attackers can modify critical notification parameters, potentially disrupting system monitoring capabilities or creating false alerts that could mask actual security incidents. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the monitoring system, as it allows for unauthorized modification of configuration data that governs how the system monitors and reports on network services.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to organizations relying on Nagios XI for system monitoring and network infrastructure management. The authenticated nature of the exploit means that attackers could potentially escalate privileges through lateral movement within the network, especially if the Nagios system has access to sensitive network resources or administrative functions. The compromise of notification data could lead to critical monitoring failures where security incidents go undetected or false alerts are generated, creating operational chaos and potentially masking real security breaches. According to MITRE ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1078 Valid Accounts and T1046 Network Service Scanning, as compromised credentials could be used to further explore network resources and establish persistence. Organizations using affected versions face potential disruption to their monitoring capabilities, data integrity issues, and increased risk of undetected security incidents that could compromise overall network security posture.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-10063 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Nagios XI installations to version 2012R1.3 or later, which includes proper input validation and parameterized query implementations. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to the Nagios system and enforce least privilege access controls for user accounts. Additional protective measures include regular monitoring of database access logs for suspicious activity, implementing web application firewalls to detect and block SQL injection attempts, and conducting regular security assessments of monitoring systems. The remediation process should also involve comprehensive review of all legacy interfaces and components that may contain similar vulnerabilities, as the presence of the CCM interface suggests potential for other unpatched components within the system. Security teams should also establish incident response procedures specifically addressing database compromise scenarios and ensure that all administrators are trained on secure coding practices and vulnerability management processes to prevent similar issues in future deployments.