CVE-2019-9204 in Nagios XI
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in Nagios IM (component of Nagios XI) before 2.2.7 allows attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/17/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-9204 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within Nagios IM, a component of the Nagios XI monitoring platform. This vulnerability exists in versions prior to 2.2.7 and exposes the system to potential exploitation by malicious actors seeking unauthorized access to underlying database resources. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the application's database interaction layers, allowing attackers to inject malicious SQL commands through improperly validated user inputs.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability enables attackers to manipulate database queries by injecting malicious SQL code into input fields that are subsequently processed by the application. This occurs when user-supplied data is directly incorporated into SQL statements without proper parameterization or input filtering mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically affects the Nagios IM component which handles various monitoring and alerting functions, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise monitoring infrastructure. The flaw aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection vulnerabilities as a fundamental weakness in application input validation and database query construction.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation could allow attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the database server, potentially leading to complete system compromise. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive monitoring data, modify configuration settings, or even escalate privileges within the monitoring environment. The implications are particularly severe for organizations relying on Nagios XI for critical infrastructure monitoring, as the compromise of monitoring systems can result in undetected security breaches and operational disruptions. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004, which covers application layer protocol manipulation, and T1046, which addresses network service scanning, as attackers would typically need to identify and exploit this vulnerability before executing more advanced attacks.
Organizations should immediately implement comprehensive mitigation strategies including applying the vendor-provided patch to version 2.2.7 or later, implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application, and conducting thorough security assessments of monitoring infrastructure. Network segmentation and access controls should be enhanced to limit exposure, while regular security monitoring should be implemented to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing robust application security practices to prevent such fundamental flaws from being exploited in production environments.