Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
Nagios XI, a popular IT monitoring platform, had a flaw in its Core Config Manager that let logged-in users sneak database commands through a search field. An attacker with valid credentials could read or change monitoring configuration and application data. Nagios fixed this in XI 5.8.5 (CCM 3.1.3). Organizations still running older versions should upgrade and review who has CCM access.
Executive priority
Schedule patching on the next standard maintenance window. The flaw needs valid credentials, but Nagios XI typically holds wide network visibility and credentials, so a compromised account could pivot. Treat as a routine but firm upgrade obligation, not an emergency.
Technical view
CVE-2021-47693 is a CWE-89 SQL injection in the Core Config Manager search text handler in Nagios XI prior to 5.8.5 / CCM 3.1.3. Unsanitized input is concatenated into SQL queries used by configuration object editors, enabling authenticated users to inject SQL fragments. CVSS 4.0 is 8.7 (AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N) with high impact to confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the vulnerable component.
Likely exposure
Internet-exposed or internally reachable Nagios XI instances older than 5.8.5 where multiple users hold CCM access. Risk increases when monitoring portals are shared with junior admins, contractors, or trust low-privilege accounts that can reach configuration object editors.
Exploitation context
Not listed in CISA KEV and no public source in this bundle confirms active exploitation. Exploitation requires authenticated access to CCM, lowering the threat from anonymous internet attackers but raising insider and credential-theft risk. The VulnCheck advisory documents the flaw; no public exploit code is cited here.
Researcher notes
CWE-89 in CCM search text parameter; fixed in CCM 3.1.3 bundled with Nagios XI 5.8.5. Authenticated vector (PR:L) limits drive-by exploitation but pairs dangerously with credential reuse, weak SSO, or shared monitoring tenants. CVE was reserved late (published 2025-10-30) for a 2021-era fix; verify environments have not regressed during upgrades or restores. No public PoC cited in bundle.
Mitigation direction
- Upgrade Nagios XI to 5.8.5 or later (CCM 3.1.3+) per vendor changelog.
- Restrict CCM access to a small set of trusted administrators.
- Place Nagios XI behind VPN or IP allow-listing where feasible.
- Rotate Nagios XI account credentials and enforce MFA on the SSO front-end.
- Review database account privileges used by Nagios XI for least privilege.
Validation and detection
- Confirm Nagios XI version in Admin > System Information; verify it is 5.8.5 or higher.
- Check CCM version is 3.1.3 or later under Configure > Core Config Manager.
- Audit CCM user list and remove unnecessary accounts.
- Review web server and database logs for unusual queries from CCM search endpoints.
- Re-test after patch using vendor release notes to confirm fix applied.
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-2021-47693 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-ccm-sqli-via-improper-escaping-in-search-textCVE 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.