📄 Description (English)
Nginx UI is a web user interface for the Nginx web server. Prior to version 2.3.5, all WebSocket endpoints in nginx-ui use a gorilla/websocket Upgrader with CheckOrigin unconditionally returning true, allowing Cross-Site WebSocket Hijacking (CSWSH). Combined with the fact that authentication tokens are stored in browser cookies (set via JavaScript without HttpOnly or explicit SameSite attributes), a malicious webpage can establish authenticated WebSocket connections to the nginx-ui instance when a logged-in administrator visits the attacker-controlled page. Version 2.3.5 patches the issue.
🤖 AI Executive Summary
Nginx UI versions prior to 2.3.5 are vulnerable to Cross-Site WebSocket Hijacking (CSWSH) attacks due to improper WebSocket origin validation and insecure cookie handling. An attacker can establish authenticated WebSocket connections to nginx-ui instances when administrators visit malicious webpages, potentially allowing unauthorized server configuration changes. This vulnerability has a CVSS score of 8.1 and exploits are publicly available, making it a significant threat to organizations managing Nginx infrastructure.
📄 Description (Arabic)
🤖 AI Intelligence Analysis Analyzed: Apr 26, 2026 11:47
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia Impact Assessment
Saudi organizations operating Nginx infrastructure are at significant risk, particularly: (1) Banking sector (SAMA-regulated institutions) managing web services and APIs; (2) Government agencies (NCA oversight) using Nginx for critical web applications; (3) Telecommunications providers (STC, Mobily) operating Nginx-based infrastructure; (4) Energy sector (ARAMCO, utilities) managing web-facing systems; (5) Healthcare organizations providing web-based services. Attackers could gain unauthorized administrative access to Nginx configurations, potentially leading to service disruption, data interception, or lateral movement within critical infrastructure.
🏢 Affected Saudi Sectors
Banking and Financial Services
Government and Public Administration
Telecommunications
Energy and Utilities
Healthcare
Critical Infrastructure
E-commerce and Retail
🎯 MITRE ATT&CK Techniques
T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application
T1566 - Phishing
T1566.002 - Phishing: Spearphishing Link
T1539 - Steal Web Session Cookie
T1550 - Use Alternate Authentication Material
T1550.004 - Use Alternate Authentication Material: Web Session Cookie
T1021 - Remote Services
T1021.001 - Remote Services: Remote Terminal Service
T1133 - External Remote Services
T1199 - Trusted Relationship
⚖️ Saudi Risk Score (AI)
8.4
/ 10.0
🔧 Remediation Steps (English)
IMMEDIATE ACTIONS:
1. Identify all Nginx UI instances in your environment and document their versions
2. Restrict access to Nginx UI administrative interfaces to trusted networks only using firewall rules
3. Implement network segmentation to isolate Nginx UI management traffic
4. Monitor WebSocket connections for suspicious cross-origin requests
PATCHING:
1. Upgrade Nginx UI to version 2.3.5 or later immediately
2. Test patches in non-production environments before deployment
3. Plan phased rollout for critical infrastructure
COMPENSATING CONTROLS (if immediate patching not possible):
1. Implement a Web Application Firewall (WAF) to block cross-origin WebSocket requests
2. Deploy reverse proxy with strict origin validation in front of Nginx UI
3. Enforce VPN-only access to Nginx UI administrative interfaces
4. Implement IP whitelisting for administrative access
5. Disable WebSocket support if not required for operations
DETECTION:
1. Monitor for WebSocket upgrade requests with mismatched Origin headers
2. Alert on authentication token usage from unexpected IP addresses
3. Log all WebSocket connection attempts and analyze for cross-origin patterns
4. Implement IDS/IPS rules to detect CSWSH attack patterns
5. Review browser access logs for suspicious referrer headers to Nginx UI
🔧 خطوات المعالجة (العربية)
الإجراءات الفورية:
1. حدد جميع مثيلات Nginx UI في بيئتك وقم بتوثيق إصداراتها
2. قيد الوصول إلى واجهات إدارة Nginx UI على الشبكات الموثوقة فقط باستخدام قواعد جدار الحماية
3. طبق تقسيم الشبكة لعزل حركة إدارة Nginx UI
4. راقب اتصالات WebSocket للطلبات المريبة عبر الأصول
التصحيح:
1. قم بترقية Nginx UI إلى الإصدار 2.3.5 أو أحدث على الفور
2. اختبر التصحيحات في بيئات غير الإنتاج قبل النشر
3. خطط لنشر متدرج للبنية الأساسية الحرجة
الضوابط البديلة (إذا لم يكن التصحيح الفوري ممكناً):
1. طبق جدار تطبيقات ويب (WAF) لحجب طلبات WebSocket عبر الأصول
2. نشر خادم وكيل عكسي مع التحقق الصارم من الأصل أمام Nginx UI
3. فرض الوصول عبر VPN فقط لواجهات إدارة Nginx UI
4. طبق قائمة بيضاء IP للوصول الإداري
5. عطل دعم WebSocket إذا لم يكن مطلوباً للعمليات
الكشف:
1. راقب طلبات ترقية WebSocket مع رؤوس Origin غير متطابقة
2. أصدر تنبيهات عند استخدام رمز المصادقة من عناوين IP غير متوقعة
3. سجل جميع محاولات اتصال WebSocket وحلل الأنماط عبر الأصول
4. طبق قواعس IDS/IPS للكشف عن أنماط هجوم CSWSH
5. راجع سجلات الوصول للمتصفح للبحث عن رؤوس referrer المريبة إلى Nginx UI
📋 Regulatory Compliance Mapping
🟢 NCA ECC 2024
ECC 2024 A.5.1.1 - Access Control Policies
ECC 2024 A.5.2.1 - User Registration and Access Rights Management
ECC 2024 A.5.3.1 - Password Management
ECC 2024 A.6.1.1 - Information Security Perimeter
ECC 2024 A.6.2.1 - Physical and Logical Segregation
ECC 2024 A.8.1.1 - Audit Logging
ECC 2024 A.8.2.1 - Protection of Log Information
🔵 SAMA CSF
SAMA CSF ID.AM-2 - Software Inventory
SAMA CSF PR.AC-1 - Access Control Policy
SAMA CSF PR.AC-4 - Access Rights Management
SAMA CSF DE.CM-1 - Network Monitoring
SAMA CSF DE.CM-3 - Personnel Activity Monitoring
SAMA CSF RS.AN-1 - Characterization of Incident
🟡 ISO 27001:2022
ISO 27001:2022 A.5.3 - Segregation of Duties
ISO 27001:2022 A.6.2 - User Access Management
ISO 27001:2022 A.8.1 - User Endpoint Devices
ISO 27001:2022 A.8.2 - Privileged Access Rights
ISO 27001:2022 A.8.3 - Information Access Restriction
ISO 27001:2022 A.8.22 - Monitoring User Activity
ISO 27001:2022 A.12.4 - Logging
🟣 PCI DSS v4.0.1
PCI DSS 2.1 - Default Security Parameters
PCI DSS 6.2 - Security Patches
PCI DSS 7.1 - Access Control Implementation
PCI DSS 10.2 - Automated Audit Trails
📦 Affected Products / CPE 1 entries
nginxui:nginx_ui