CVE-2016-15052 in Nagios
Summary
by MITRE • 10/31/2025
Nagios XI versions prior to 5.2.4 are vulnerable to cross-site scripting (XSS) via the Menu System of the web interface. Insufficient validation or escaping of user-supplied input may allow an attacker to inject and execute arbitrary script in the context of a victim's browser.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/17/2025
Nagios XI version 5.2.4 and earlier contains a critical cross-site scripting vulnerability within its web interface menu system that presents significant security risks to organizations relying on this monitoring platform. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output escaping mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it within the web application's menu components. The flaw specifically affects the web-based administration interface where menu items are dynamically generated based on user input or configuration parameters, creating an attack surface where malicious actors can manipulate the system's menu rendering process.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers to inject malicious scripts through menu-related parameters that are not adequately filtered or escaped before being processed by the browser. When a victim accesses the affected Nagios XI interface, the malicious script code becomes part of the page's HTML content and executes in the victim's browser context with the privileges of the authenticated user. This presents a severe risk as the attacker can potentially steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, or redirect victims to malicious websites. The vulnerability operates under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws where untrusted data is improperly incorporated into web page content without appropriate sanitization or encoding measures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection as it can compromise the integrity of the entire monitoring infrastructure. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain access to sensitive monitoring data, manipulate alert configurations, or even escalate privileges within the Nagios XI environment. The attack surface is particularly concerning because Nagios XI systems often serve as critical monitoring points for enterprise infrastructure, making them attractive targets for adversaries seeking to maintain persistent access or disrupt operations. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 which covers credential access through social engineering via malicious links or payloads delivered through web interfaces.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including updating to Nagios XI version 5.2.4 or later which contains the necessary patches to address the input validation gaps. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls with XSS detection capabilities can provide additional defense-in-depth measures while waiting for the official patches. Network segmentation and least privilege access controls should be enforced to limit the potential impact if exploitation occurs. Regular security assessments of web interfaces and input validation mechanisms should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input sanitization in web applications and serves as a reminder that even administrative interfaces require robust security controls to prevent unauthorized access and data compromise.