Description
statuswml.cgi in Nagios before 3.1.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in the (1) ping or (2) Traceroute parameters.
Fixed in Linux distributions
Distributions backport fixes, so the version that fixes this vulnerability differs per release — upgrade to at least the version shown. From the distributions' security trackers and advisories.
Debian
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 5.0 | nagios3 | 3.0.6-4~lenny2 | DSA-1825-1 |
| Debian 4.0 | nagios2 | 2.6-2+etch3 | DSA-1825-1 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Hat Hpc Solution 1 | nagios +1 | 2.12-3.el5 | RHSA-2009:1141 |
Public exploits
Exploit or proof-of-concept code for this vulnerability is publicly available, which lowers the bar for attackers. Treat it as a reason to patch sooner.
Third-party code, not reviewed by us. Public PoCs are sometimes fake or contain malware. Read the code first and run it only in an isolated lab, against systems you are authorised to test.
Metasploit 1 module
-
Nagios3 statuswml.cgi Ping Command Execution
exploit/unix/webapp/nagios3_statuswml_ping
Exploit-DB 3
- Nagios3 - 'statuswml.cgi' 'Ping' Command Execution (Metasploit) EDB-16908 · webapps · Jul 14, 2010 · verified
- Nagios3 - 'statuswml.cgi' Command Injection (Metasploit) EDB-9861 · webapps · Oct 30, 2009 · verified
- Nagios 3.0.6 - 'statuswml.cgi' Arbitrary Shell Command Injection EDB-33051 · remote · May 22, 2009 · verified
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 2
- DSA-1825-1 nagios2 nagios3 - arbitrary code execution Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- RHSA-2009:1141 Red Hat Security Advisory: nagios security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Nov 22, 2025
References
- 35688 third-party-advisory
- GLSA-200907-15 vendor-advisory
- 35543 third-party-advisory
- 39227 third-party-advisory
- http://tracker.nagios.org/view.php?id=15
- http://www.nagios.org/development/history/core-3x/
- HPSBMA02513 vendor-advisory
- ADV-2010-0750 vdb-entry
- 35692 third-party-advisory
- 1022503 vdb-entry
- USN-795-1 vendor-advisory
- DSA-1825 vendor-advisory