CVE-2019-15949
Confirmed PUBLISHEDNagios 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...
Recommended Action
Prioritize remediation. Validate affected assets and apply vendor fixes on an accelerated timeline.
At a Glance
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.
- CVE Published
- Sep 05, 2019
- Exploitation Reported
- Nov 03, 2021
- CVSS
- 8.8 High
- EPSS
- —
Affected Versions
| Vendor | Product | Version | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| n/a |
n/a
|
n/a |
Affected |
CVE References
- GitHub — jakgibb/nagiosxi-root-rce-exploit github.com · CVE Record https://github.com/jakgibb/nagiosxi-root-rce-exploit
- packetstormsecurity.com/files/156676/Nagios-XI-Authenticated-Remote-... packetstormsecurity.com · CVE Record http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/156676/Nagios-XI-Authenticated-R...
- packetstormsecurity.com/files/162158/Nagios-XI-getprofile.sh-Remote-... packetstormsecurity.com · CVE Record http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/162158/Nagios-XI-getprofile.sh-R...
Recommended Actions
- Prioritize remediation. Validate affected assets and apply vendor fixes on an accelerated timeline.
- Check enrichment artifacts for scanner coverage and available PoCs before rolling remediation validation.
- Use the Pro API to automate enrichment, telemetry, and workflow delivery for VM, SOC, and CTI pipelines.
Known Exploited Vulnerability Sources
Catalogues that list this CVE as a known exploited vulnerability.
Per-source evidence links for KEV attestations are available through the KEVIntel Pro API.
Learn about Pro API access| Source | Added |
|---|---|
| CISA First | 2021-11-03 00:00 UTC |
Scanner Artifacts
Nuclei and Metasploit references linked to this CVE.
| Scanner | Reference | Detected |
|---|---|---|
| Metasploit | https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/blob/master/modules/exploits/linux/http/nagios_xi_plugins_check_plugin_authenticated_rce.rb | Apr 28, 2025 |
Virtual Patch
Compensating WAF rules to help reduce exposure to this CVE. Rule content and deployable vendor exports are available with KEVIntel Enterprise.
KEVIntel does not currently have a virtual patch for this CVE. When available, KEVIntel virtual patches ship as deployable ModSecurity, Cloudflare, and AWS WAF rules.
Enterprise feature. Virtual patch rule content and deployable vendor exports (ModSecurity, Cloudflare, AWS WAF) are available to KEVIntel Enterprise users.
CVSS Scores
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
AV:N/AC:L/Au:S/C:C/I:C/A:C
Exploitation Status
Exploited in the wild
Recorded 2021-11-03 00:00:00 UTC · CISA
Proof of concept available
Recorded 2025-04-28 15:02:09 UTC
Weaknesses (CWE)
-
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')
Scanner Integrations
| Scanner | Reference | Detected |
|---|---|---|
| Metasploit | https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/blob/master/modules/exploits/linux/http/nagios_xi_plugins_check_plugin_authenticated_rce.rb | Apr 28, 2025 |
Potential Proof of Concepts
These PoCs are unverified and could contain malware. Use at your own risk.
metasploit · Created Unknown
Metasploit module for CVE-2019-15949
Timeline
Key exploitation, disclosure, scanner coverage, and KEV attestation events for this CVE.
-
15:02 UTC about 1 year ago15:02 UTC · about 1 year ago
Metasploit module available
Exploit module available
-
15:02 UTC about 1 year ago15:02 UTC · about 1 year ago
Public PoC available
Public proof-of-concept code published
-
00:00 UTC over 4 years ago00:00 UTC · over 4 years ago
Added to CISA KEV
Listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog
-
16:50 UTC almost 7 years ago16:50 UTC · almost 7 years ago
CVE published
Vulnerability disclosed publicly
-
00:00 UTC almost 7 years ago00:00 UTC · almost 7 years ago
CVE ID reserved
Identifier reserved by the CNA
Automate This Intelligence with the Pro API
Confidence scoring, exploit status, sensor telemetry, PoCs, scanner integrations, mentions, and tags are available programmatically for VM, SOC, and CTI workflows.
Pro API Example
GET /api/v2/pro/kevs/CVE-2019-15949
{
"cve_id": "CVE-2019-15949",
"title": "Nagios XI before 5.6.6 allows remote command execution as root. The exploit r...",
"affected_vendor": "Nagios",
"affected_product": "XI",
"affected_versions": [
{ "vendor": "...", "product": "...", "status": "affected", "display_label": "..." }
],
"confidence": "Confirmed",
"cvss_score": 8.8,
"epss_score": null,
"exploit_status": {
"exploited_in_the_wild": true,
"active_exploitation_observed": false
},
"sensor_telemetry": { "...": "Pro API fields" },
"proof_of_concepts": [ "..." ],
"scanner_integrations": [ "..." ]
}