CVE-2020-36856
Nagios XI < 5.6.14 Authenticated RCE command_test.php via address
Description
Nagios XI versions prior to 5.6.14 contain an authenticated remote command execution vulnerability in the CCM command_test.php script. Insufficient validation of the `address` parameter allows an authenticated user with access to the Core Config Manager to inject shell metacharacters that are incorporated into backend command invocations. Successful exploitation enables arbitrary command execution with the privileges of the Nagios XI web application user and may be leveraged to execute commands on the underlying XI host, modify system configuration, or fully compromise the host.
INFO
Published Date :
Oct. 30, 2025, 10:15 p.m.
Last Modified :
Nov. 5, 2025, 6:26 p.m.
Remotely Exploit :
Yes !
Source :
[email protected]
CVSS Scores
| Score | Version | Severity | Vector | Exploitability Score | Impact Score | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | HIGH | [email protected] | ||||
| CVSS 4.0 | CRITICAL | 83251b91-4cc7-4094-a5c7-464a1b83ea10 | ||||
| CVSS 4.0 | CRITICAL | [email protected] |
Solution
- Update Nagios XI to version 5.6.14 or later.
- Validate and sanitize all user inputs.
- Restrict privileges for CM users.
References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools
Here, you will find a curated list of external links that provide in-depth
information, practical solutions, and valuable tools related to
CVE-2020-36856.
| URL | Resource |
|---|---|
| https://www.nagios.com/changelog/nagios-xi/ | Release Notes |
| https://www.nagios.com/products/security/#nagios-xi | Release Notes |
| https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/nagios-xi-authenticated-rce-command-test-php-via-address | Third Party Advisory |
CWE - Common Weakness Enumeration
While CVE identifies
specific instances of vulnerabilities, CWE categorizes the common flaws or
weaknesses that can lead to vulnerabilities. CVE-2020-36856 is
associated with the following CWEs:
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC)
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification
(CAPEC)
stores attack patterns, which are descriptions of the common attributes and
approaches employed by adversaries to exploit the CVE-2020-36856
weaknesses.
We scan GitHub repositories to detect new proof-of-concept exploits. Following list is a collection of public exploits and proof-of-concepts, which have been published on GitHub (sorted by the most recently updated).
Results are limited to the first 15 repositories due to potential performance issues.
The following list is the news that have been mention
CVE-2020-36856 vulnerability anywhere in the article.
The following table lists the changes that have been made to the
CVE-2020-36856 vulnerability over time.
Vulnerability history details can be useful for understanding the evolution of a vulnerability, and for identifying the most recent changes that may impact the vulnerability's severity, exploitability, or other characteristics.
-
Initial Analysis by [email protected]
Nov. 05, 2025
Action Type Old Value New Value Added CVSS V3.1 AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H Added CPE Configuration OR *cpe:2.3:a:nagios:nagios_xi:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions up to (excluding) 5.6.14 Added Reference Type VulnCheck: https://www.nagios.com/changelog/nagios-xi/ Types: Release Notes Added Reference Type VulnCheck: https://www.nagios.com/products/security/#nagios-xi Types: Release Notes Added Reference Type VulnCheck: https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/nagios-xi-authenticated-rce-command-test-php-via-address Types: Third Party Advisory -
New CVE Received by [email protected]
Oct. 30, 2025
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Description Nagios XI versions prior to 5.6.14 contain an authenticated remote command execution vulnerability in the CCM command_test.php script. Insufficient validation of the `address` parameter allows an authenticated user with access to the Core Config Manager to inject shell metacharacters that are incorporated into backend command invocations. Successful exploitation enables arbitrary command execution with the privileges of the Nagios XI web application user and may be leveraged to execute commands on the underlying XI host, modify system configuration, or fully compromise the host. Added CVSS V4.0 AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:H/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:H/SI:H/SA:H/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X Added CWE CWE-78 Added Reference https://www.nagios.com/changelog/nagios-xi/ Added Reference https://www.nagios.com/products/security/#nagios-xi Added Reference https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/nagios-xi-authenticated-rce-command-test-php-via-address