CVE-2026-42238
Prior to version 2.3.8, nginx-ui exposes a backup restore endpoint (POST /api/restore) that is completely unauthenticated during the first 10 minutes after process startup on any fresh installation.
Does this matter?
High impact if exploited, but EPSS currently rates exploitation as unlikely (0.76%). Schedule it in the normal patch cycle and watch for a rise in EPSS or a public exploit.
Description
Nginx UI is a web user interface for the Nginx web server. Prior to version 2.3.8, nginx-ui exposes a backup restore endpoint (POST /api/restore) that is completely unauthenticated during the first 10 minutes after process startup on any fresh installation. An unauthenticated remote attacker can upload a crafted backup archive that overwrites the application's configuration file (app.ini) and SQLite database. Because the attacker controls the restored app.ini, they can inject an arbitrary OS command into the TestConfigCmd setting. After the application automatically restarts to apply the restored config, a single follow-up request triggers that command as the user running nginx-ui — typically root in Docker deployments. This issue has been patched in version 2.3.8.
- CVSS 4.0
- 9.0 CRITICALCVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:N/UI:P/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:H/SI:H/SA:H/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/M
- EPSS
- 0.76% probability · 53th percentile
- CISA KEV
- Not listed
- Weakness
- CWE-94
- Affected
- nginxui/nginx ui
- Source
- security-advisories@github.com
References
- https://github.com/0xJacky/nginx-ui/releases/tag/v2.3.8Release Notes
- https://github.com/0xJacky/nginx-ui/security/advisories/GHSA-4pvg-prr3-9cxrExploit, Vendor Advisory
- https://github.com/0xJacky/nginx-ui/security/advisories/GHSA-4pvg-prr3-9cxrExploit, Vendor Advisory
Source: NVD record, EPSS from FIRST.org, KEV from CISA. Refreshed daily.