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CVE-2026-42221

9.8 critical exploit SSVC exploitation: poc Analyzed
NVD · CVE.org

Nginx UI is a web user interface for the Nginx web server. From version 2.0.0 to before version 2.3.8, an unauthenticated network attacker can claim the initial administrator account on a fresh nginx-ui instance during the first-run setup window. The public /api/install endpoint is reachable without authentication, and the request-encryption flow only protects payload confidentiality in transit; it does not authenticate who is allowed to perform installation. A remote attacker who reaches the service before the legitimate operator can set the admin email, username, and password, causing permanent initial-instance takeover. This issue has been patched in version 2.3.8.

Fix

Public exploits 1

Each line links to the index that lists it, never to exploit code. Exploit-DB's "verified" and a Metasploit rank of good or better count as verified; a PoC-in-GitHub entry is a repository's claim.

Patch, vendor advisory and mitigation references on NVD 2

Every line above is quoted from NVD, CISA, Microsoft, the vendor's own advisory or DISA; nothing is generated.

Change history 1

  1. First seenCVSS 9.8 · nginxuiNVD modified 2026-10-26 19:10

Affected (CPE criteria) 1

  • cpe:2.3:a:nginxui:nginx_ui:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

References 3