CVE-2016-15054 in Nagios
Summary
by MITRE • 11/04/2025
Nagios XI versions prior to 5.4.0 are vulnerable to cross-site scripting (XSS) via the jQuery Migrate library. 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 • 05/28/2026
Nagios XI is a comprehensive network monitoring and management platform that provides enterprise-level visibility into system performance and infrastructure health. The platform relies heavily on web-based interfaces for configuration, reporting, and alerting functions, making it a critical component in IT operations environments. Prior to version 5.4.0, the software incorporated the jQuery Migrate library as part of its web application framework, which introduced a significant security vulnerability that exposed organizations to cross-site scripting attacks. This vulnerability specifically affected the web interface components that utilize jQuery functionality, creating an attack surface that could be exploited by malicious actors to compromise user sessions and potentially gain unauthorized access to monitoring data.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate input validation and output escaping mechanisms within the jQuery Migrate library implementation. When user-supplied data is processed through the web interface and subsequently rendered in browser contexts, the library fails to properly sanitize or escape special characters that could be interpreted as executable script code. This occurs at multiple points within the application where dynamic content is generated based on user input, including configuration parameters, alert definitions, and report parameters. The vulnerability allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code through various input fields that are not properly validated before being rendered in the browser context, effectively bypassing standard security controls that would normally prevent such attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited by attackers with minimal technical expertise. An attacker could craft malicious payloads that, when executed in a victim's browser, could steal session cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or even execute commands on the victim's machine if the browser environment allows such operations. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where Nagios XI is used for critical infrastructure monitoring, as successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive network data, disruption of monitoring services, and potential compromise of the entire monitoring ecosystem. Additionally, the attack could be amplified through social engineering techniques where users might be tricked into clicking malicious links or visiting compromised web pages that trigger the XSS payload.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigation strategies including upgrading to Nagios XI version 5.4.0 or later, which includes patched versions of the jQuery Migrate library with proper input validation and output escaping mechanisms. Security teams should also consider implementing additional web application firewall rules that can detect and block known XSS attack patterns, while conducting thorough security assessments of all user-supplied input fields within the monitoring platform. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and represents a typical entry point for attackers following ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script execution. Regular security monitoring and user education programs should be established to prevent exploitation attempts, as the attack surface remains significant even after patching due to the potential for similar vulnerabilities in other third-party libraries or custom plugins that may be integrated with the platform.