CVE-2023-7314 is a cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in Nagios XI, a widely used IT infrastructure monitoring solution. The vulnerability specifically affects the Bandwidth Report component in versions prior to 5.11.3. It stems from improper neutralization of user-supplied input during web page generation (CWE-79), where insufficient validation or escaping allows malicious scripts to be injected and executed in the context of a victim’s browser. The CVSS 4.0 score of 5.1 reflects a medium severity, with an attack vector of network (remote), low attack complexity, no privileges required, but user interaction needed. The vulnerability does not impact confidentiality, integrity, or availability directly but can be leveraged for session hijacking, phishing, or other client-side attacks once the malicious script executes. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, but the presence of this flaw in a critical monitoring tool increases the risk profile. The vulnerability’s scope is limited to the web interface of Nagios XI, and exploitation requires a victim to interact with a crafted link or page. The lack of authentication requirement lowers the barrier for attackers to attempt exploitation, especially in environments where Nagios XI is exposed to untrusted networks. The flaw was published on October 30, 2025, and no official patch links were provided in the data, but upgrading to version 5.11.3 or later is recommended by the vendor. This vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices in web applications, particularly those used in enterprise monitoring.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2023-7314 can be significant, especially for those relying on Nagios XI for critical network and infrastructure monitoring. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to execute arbitrary scripts in the browsers of administrators or users accessing the Bandwidth Report, potentially leading to session hijacking, theft of credentials, or unauthorized actions within the monitoring platform. This could result in loss of control over monitoring data, manipulation of alerts, or further lateral movement within the network. Organizations in sectors such as finance, energy, telecommunications, and government are particularly at risk due to their reliance on continuous and accurate monitoring. The medium severity suggests that while the vulnerability is not directly destructive, it can be a stepping stone for more advanced attacks if combined with other vulnerabilities or social engineering. Additionally, the requirement for user interaction means phishing or social engineering campaigns could be used to trigger the exploit. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as attackers often develop exploits after public disclosure. European entities with exposed Nagios XI web interfaces should consider this vulnerability a priority for remediation to maintain operational security and compliance with data protection regulations.

1. Upgrade Nagios XI to version 5.11.3 or later as soon as possible, as this version addresses the XSS vulnerability in the Bandwidth Report component. 2. If immediate upgrade is not feasible, implement strict input validation and output encoding on all user-supplied data within the Bandwidth Report and other web interface components to prevent script injection. 3. Restrict access to the Nagios XI web interface by network segmentation and firewall rules, limiting exposure to trusted networks and users only. 4. Employ web application firewalls (WAFs) with rules designed to detect and block XSS payloads targeting Nagios XI. 5. Educate users and administrators about the risks of phishing and social engineering attacks that could trigger this vulnerability. 6. Monitor logs and network traffic for unusual activity or attempts to exploit XSS vulnerabilities. 7. Regularly review and update security policies related to web application usage and patch management to ensure timely remediation of vulnerabilities. 8. Consider implementing Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to reduce the impact of potential XSS attacks by restricting script execution sources.