Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
A flaw in older Nagios XI monitoring software (before version 5.2.4) lets a logged-in user trick the notification search feature into running unintended database commands. An attacker with valid credentials could read or change monitoring data, and potentially reach more of the underlying database. Upgrading to 5.2.4 or later resolves the issue.
Executive priority
Treat as a high-priority patching item for any Nagios XI deployment older than 5.2.4. Authenticated SQL injection in a monitoring platform can expose sensitive operational data and accelerate lateral movement, so confirm version status quickly.
Technical view
CVE-2016-15050 is a CWE-89 SQL injection in the Nagios XI notification search functionality affecting versions prior to 5.2.4. User-supplied search parameters reach SQL statements without sufficient parameterization, allowing an authenticated user to manipulate queries, disclose or alter notification records, and potentially affect broader database content. CVSS 4.0 base 8.7 (AV:N/AC:L/PR:L).
Likely exposure
Organizations running Nagios XI versions older than 5.2.4 with any authenticated user access to the notification search feature. Internet-exposed Nagios XI portals or shared monitoring tenants increase exposure; isolated, fully patched 5.2.4+ deployments are not affected.
Exploitation context
No active exploitation is cited and the CVE is not on CISA KEV. Exploitation requires an authenticated session, but Nagios XI installs frequently use shared or weakly protected credentials, lowering the practical barrier for a determined insider or credential-thief.
Researcher notes
CWE-89 SQL injection in the notification search endpoint of Nagios XI prior to 5.2.4. CVSS 4.0 base 8.7 (AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H) reflects authenticated network access with high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact on the vulnerable component. No public PoC, KEV entry, or exploitation telemetry is cited in the source bundle; VulnCheck advisory and Nagios changelog are the primary references. Affected version data in the bundle is sparse (defaultStatus "unaffected" with version "0"); rely on the vendor changelog to confirm fixed build 5.2.4. Validate by inventorying Nagios XI versions and reviewing application/database logs for anomalous queries originating from the notification search workflow.
Mitigation direction
- Upgrade Nagios XI to version 5.2.4 or later per vendor changelog.
- Restrict Nagios XI web access to trusted networks or VPN until patched.
- Enforce strong, unique credentials and disable unused or shared accounts.
- Review and tighten role permissions for users with notification access.
- Place a WAF or reverse proxy in front of Nagios XI to flag SQLi patterns.
- Consult Nagios vendor guidance for any additional hotfix or hardening steps.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Nagios XI hosts and confirm running version against 5.2.4 baseline.
- Review web and database logs for unusual notification search query patterns.
- Audit Nagios XI user accounts and recent authentication events for misuse.
- Test the patched build in a staging environment before production rollout.
- Verify upgrade success by re-checking version and running vendor health checks.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-89: Database access and collection lookup
Injection into data stores can inform collection, data access, and exfiltration detection reviews. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupDatabase behavior lookup
The CVE wording references database injection or access, so collection and exfiltration review may help. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2016-15050 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- High
- CVSS
- 8.7 (4.0)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N——Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 4.0 score
8.7HighVector: CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://www.nagios.com/changelog/nagios-xi/CVE reference · release-notes, patch
- https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/nagios-xi-sqli-in-notification-searchCVE reference · third-party-advisory
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection')
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection') represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.