# CVE-2021-25297: Nagios XI OS Command Injection

> Authenticated attackers can execute arbitrary OS commands on Nagios XI servers via improper input sanitization in the switch configuration wizard.

- **Severity:** High 8.8 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Yes, since 18 Jan 2022 (CISA KEV)
- **Login needed:** Any signed-in user
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 15 Feb 2021
- **Updated:** 9 Jul 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-5924-w244-8fxp

## What is CVE-2021-25297?

CVE-2021-25297 is a high-severity command injection vulnerability in Nagios Nagios Xi, published on 15 Feb 2021. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, with no action from the victim.

### Official 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.

Weakness: CWE-78 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2021-25297?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Nagios Nagios Xi.

## How do I fix CVE-2021-25297?

No fix has been published for CVE-2021-25297 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available. US federal agencies must fix it by 1 Feb 2022.

## Is CVE-2021-25297 being exploited?

Yes. Attackers have exploited CVE-2021-25297 in the wild since at least 18 Jan 2022.

Public exploit code:

- Nagios XI 5.5.6 to 5.7.5 - ConfigWizards Authenticated Remote Code Exection (metasploit)
- Nagios 5.5.6-5.7.5 - Authenticated Remote Command Injection (nuclei): http/cves/2021/CVE-2021-25297.yaml

## Other vulnerabilities in Nagios Nagios Xi

- [CVE-2021-25296](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-25296/): Nagios XI OS Command Injection (high 8.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2021-25298](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-25298/): Nagios XI OS Command Injection (high 8.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2019-15949](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-15949/): Nagios XI Remote Code Execution (high 8.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2024-24401](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-24401/): SQL injection in n/a (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2024-24402](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-24402/): Privilege escalation in n/a (critical 9.8)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2021-25297 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2021-25297 is a high-severity command injection vulnerability in Nagios Nagios Xi, published on 15 Feb 2021. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: Yes. Attackers have exploited CVE-2021-25297 in the wild since at least 18 Jan 2022.

Affected product: Nagios Nagios Xi. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-25297/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-25297/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2021-25297
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-25297
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2021-25297

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-25297/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.