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.
Advisories
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Fixes
Solution
No solution given by the vendor.
Workaround
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References
History
Mon, 04 May 2026 21:45:00 +0000
| Type | Values Removed | Values Added |
|---|---|---|
| First Time appeared |
0xjacky
0xjacky nginx-ui |
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| Vendors & Products |
0xjacky
0xjacky nginx-ui |
Mon, 04 May 2026 20:30:00 +0000
| Type | Values Removed | Values Added |
|---|---|---|
| Description | 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. | |
| Title | nginx-ui: Unauthenticated First-Run Installer Allows Remote Initial Admin Claim | |
| Weaknesses | CWE-306 | |
| References |
| |
| Metrics |
cvssV3_1
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Projects
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Status: PUBLISHED
Assigner: GitHub_M
Published:
Updated: 2026-05-04T20:09:37.308Z
Reserved: 2026-04-25T05:04:37.029Z
Link: CVE-2026-42221
No data.
Status : Received
Published: 2026-05-04T21:16:32.023
Modified: 2026-05-04T21:16:32.023
Link: CVE-2026-42221
No data.
OpenCVE Enrichment
Updated: 2026-05-04T22:00:11Z
Weaknesses