Unrated

Recursive Filesystem Deletion as Root in Nagios XI backup_xi.sh

IdentifiersCVE-2023-47411CWE-73

CVE-2023-47411 is a destructive vulnerability in Nagios XI affecting the backup_xi.sh backup script. According to the provided context, the flaw is caused by unsafe handling of attacker-controlled name and directory parameters in backup_xi.sh. An attacker who can control inputs passed to this script can influence the path operated on by a root-executed recursive deletion routine, resulting in behavior described as directly equivalent to executing rm -rf /. The issue therefore allows attacker-influenced filesystem path control in a privileged maintenance script, turning a backup-related operation into arbitrary recursive deletion of filesystem content as root. The advisory context states this issue was mitigated in Nagios XI version 5.11.4.

For your environment

Are you exposed to this one?

Mallory correlates every CVE against your assets, your vendors, and active adversary campaigns. Know which vulnerabilities matter for you, not just which ones are loud.

Start free trial

ANALYST BRIEF

Impact, mitigation & remediation

What it means. What to do now. Patch path, mitigations, and the assume-compromise checklist.

Impact

What an attacker gets, and what they’ve been doing with it.

Successful exploitation can cause catastrophic destruction of the Nagios XI host by recursively deleting arbitrary filesystem paths as root, up to and including the entire filesystem. This can render the system unbootable, destroy application data and configuration, interrupt monitoring operations, and require full host rebuild and restoration from backups. Because the deletion occurs with root privileges, the impact is not limited by normal file ownership or discretionary access controls.

Mitigation

If you can’t patch tonight, do this now.

Until patched, restrict the ability to invoke or influence backup_xi.sh and any associated backup configuration parameters to only fully trusted administrators. Prevent the nagios user or other lower-privileged contexts from supplying crafted name or directory values to privileged backup workflows. Where operationally feasible, disable or tightly control scheduled/manual backup features that rely on this script, add defensive validation around acceptable backup paths, and monitor for unexpected execution of destructive filesystem commands or anomalous backup job parameters.

Remediation

Patch, then assume compromise.

Upgrade Nagios XI to version 5.11.4 or later, as the provided context states that all disclosed vulnerabilities, including CVE-2023-47411, were mitigated in version 5.11.4. In addition, review any local customizations or wrappers invoking backup_xi.sh to ensure attacker-controlled values cannot be passed into privileged filesystem operations, and validate that backup-related scripts enforce strict path validation and safe deletion semantics.

PUBLIC EXPLOITS

Exploits

No public exploits tracked yet. Mallory keeps watching.

VALID 0 / 0 TOTALView more in app

No public exploit code observed for this vulnerability.

ACTIVITY FEED

Recent activity

2 sources tracked across advisories, community write-ups, and news. New activity surfaces here as Mallory finds it.

2 SOURCESView more in app

ncc group researchNews

Dec 13, 2023

Technical Advisory – Multiple Vulnerabilities in Nagios XI

A destructive vulnerability in Nagios XI's backup script that allows an attacker controlling script arguments to trigger recursive deletion of filesystem contents as root.

ncc group researchNews

Dec 13, 2023

Nagios XI Vulnerabilities Found | NCC Group

A medium-severity destructive vulnerability in Nagios XI's backup script that allows an attacker controlling script arguments to trigger recursive deletion of files, potentially equivalent to rm -rf / when run as root.

What this page doesn’t show

The version that knows your environment.

This page is what’s public. Mallory adds the parts that aren’t: which of your assets are affected, which adversaries are exploiting it right now, which detections to deploy, and what to do tonight.

Start free trial

Exposure mapping

Query your assets running an affected version, and investigate the blast radius.

Threat actor evidence

Every observed campaign linking this CVE to a named adversary.

Associated malware

Malware families riding this exploit, with evidence and IOCs.

Detection signatures

YARA, Sigma, Snort, and vendor rules, auto-deployed to your SIEM.

Vendor-by-vendor mapping

Cross-references every affected SKU, including bundled OEM variants.

Social activity