CVE-2019-15949
Nagios XI contains a remote code execution vulnerability in which a user can modify the check_plugin executable and insert malicious commands to execute as root.
Nagios XI before 5.6.6 allows remote command execution as root. The exploit requires access to the server as the nagios user, or access as the admin user via the web interface. The getprofile.sh script, invoked by downloading a system profile (profile.php?cmd=download), is executed as root via a passwordless sudo entry; the script executes check_plugin, which is owned by the nagios user. A user logged into Nagios XI with permissions to modify plugins, or the nagios user on the server, can modify the check_plugin executable and insert malicious commands to execute as root.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H- packetstormsecurity.com/files/156676/Nagios-XI-Authenticated-Remote-Command-Execution.htmlExploitThird Party Advisory
- packetstormsecurity.com/files/162158/Nagios-XI-getprofile.sh-Remote-Command-Execution.htmlExploitThird Party Advisory
- github.com/jakgibb/nagiosxi-root-rce-exploitExploitThird Party Advisory
- cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2019-15949US Government Resource
Actively exploited. Patch immediately.
- Exploitation
- Confirmed in the wild (CISA KEV)
- Federal remediation deadline
- Overdue by 1638 days
- CVSS
- 8.8 HIGH
- EPSS (30-day exploit probability)
- 77.0% · top 1% of all CVEs
- Weakness
- CWE-78
- Attack vector
- Network, remotely reachable
- 1.Apply updates per vendor instructions.
- 2.Treat as emergency change: patch or isolate internet-facing instances first.
- 3.Review exposure: confirm which instances are reachable from the internet and restrict access until patched.
- 4.Hunt for compromise: review logs for the disclosure window, not just from the patch date.
Assessment is derived automatically from the live signals above; verify against your own asset inventory.