CVE-2022-50586 in Nagios
Summary
by MITRE • 10/31/2025
Nagios XI versions prior to 5.8.9 are vulnerable to cross-site scripting (XSS) in the BPI component via the info URL field. 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 • 10/31/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-50586 affects Nagios XI versions prior to 5.8.9 and represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the BPI component. This vulnerability specifically targets the info URL field, where insufficient input validation and output escaping mechanisms fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data. The affected system processes user-provided information without adequate protection measures, creating an exploitable condition that allows malicious actors to inject malicious scripts into the application's web interface.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it squarely within the scope of CWE-79, which defines Cross-Site Scripting as a weakness where applications fail to properly validate or escape user-supplied input before incorporating it into dynamically generated web content. The BPI component's failure to implement proper input sanitization creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited through various attack vectors including crafted URL parameters or form submissions. The vulnerability operates by allowing an attacker to inject malicious JavaScript code that executes in the context of a victim's browser session, potentially compromising user credentials or enabling further attack vectors.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations utilizing Nagios XI for network monitoring and system management. The attacker can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary code within the victim's browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, data exfiltration, or privilege escalation within the monitoring environment. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that Nagios XI systems often contain sensitive operational data and may be accessed by privileged users with elevated system permissions. The vulnerability could enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to critical infrastructure monitoring data, potentially disrupting business operations or exposing confidential system information.
The threat landscape for this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531, which covers "Modify Existing Service" and related activities involving web application exploitation. Organizations may face increased risk of lateral movement within their network infrastructure if attackers successfully exploit this vulnerability to establish persistent access or gather additional intelligence about system configurations. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability as part of a broader attack chain that could lead to more sophisticated threats including privilege escalation or data breach scenarios.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching of Nagios XI installations to version 5.8.9 or later, which contains the necessary input validation and output escaping mechanisms to prevent the exploitation of this vulnerability. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures including web application firewalls, input validation rules, and regular security assessments of their monitoring infrastructure. Network segmentation and access controls should be reviewed to limit potential impact if exploitation occurs, while security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous behavior patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar issues within other components of the monitoring ecosystem, ensuring comprehensive protection against similar cross-site scripting vulnerabilities.