CVE-2024-54960 in Nagios
Summary
by MITRE • 02/20/2025
A SQL Injection vulnerability in Nagios XI 2024R1.2.2 allows a remote attacker to execute SQL injection via a crafted payload in the History Tab component.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/01/2025
The vulnerability CVE-2024-54960 represents a critical SQL injection flaw discovered in Nagios XI version 2024R1.2.2 within the History Tab component. This issue arises from insufficient input validation and improper sanitization of user-supplied data that flows into database queries. The affected component processes user interactions through web interfaces where attackers can manipulate parameters to inject malicious SQL code. The vulnerability specifically targets the History Tab functionality which displays historical monitoring data, making it a prime target for exploitation since it handles user input directly without adequate security controls. This flaw enables unauthorized access to the underlying database system through crafted malicious requests that bypass normal authentication and authorization mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper parameter handling within the web application's backend processing logic. When users interact with the History Tab component, the application constructs SQL queries using values directly extracted from HTTP request parameters without proper sanitization or parameterized query construction. This allows attackers to inject malicious SQL fragments that alter the intended query execution flow. The vulnerability falls under CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws in software applications. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting specially formatted URLs or POST data that, when processed by the History Tab component, result in unauthorized database access. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires no prior authentication and can be executed remotely by any internet-connected attacker.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted across enterprise monitoring environments. Successful exploitation could lead to complete database compromise including data exfiltration, modification of monitoring records, and potential privilege escalation within the application. Attackers might gain access to sensitive monitoring data such as system credentials, network configurations, and performance metrics that could be used for further attacks. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on Nagios XI for critical infrastructure monitoring, potentially exposing their entire monitoring ecosystem to unauthorized access. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1190 (Exploit Public-Facing Application) and T1071.004 (Application Layer Protocol: DNS) where attackers could leverage the compromised system for lateral movement. The impact extends beyond immediate data theft to include potential disruption of monitoring services that organizations depend upon for operational continuity.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided patches or updates as soon as they become available. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be configured to limit access to Nagios XI interfaces to trusted administrative networks only. Input validation controls should be strengthened at the application level to prevent malicious payloads from reaching database processing components. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help detect and block exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other monitoring tools. Organizations should also review and audit database access logs to detect any unauthorized access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and implementing defense-in-depth strategies for monitoring and management systems. Proper security awareness training for administrators is essential to prevent exploitation through social engineering or misconfiguration attacks that could compound the risks associated with this SQL injection vulnerability.