CVE-2026-42221CRITICAL 9.8EPSS p26.3%

CVE-2026-42221CVE-2026-42221

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.

Scoring

CVSS 3.19.8 (CRITICAL)
VectorCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS0.35% probability of exploitation · percentile 26.3% · 2026-06-18T12:00:27Z
Published2026-05-04
Last modified2026-05-06

Underlying weaknesses· 1

CWE-306

References

  1. https://github.com/0xJacky/nginx-ui/releases/tag/v2.3.8
  2. https://github.com/0xJacky/nginx-ui/security/advisories/GHSA-h27v-ph7w-m9fp
  3. https://github.com/0xJacky/nginx-ui/security/advisories/GHSA-h27v-ph7w-m9fp

1

TypeTargetConfidenceTier
WeaknessMissing Authentication for Critical Functioncwe-3060%live

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Sourced from NVD + FIRST.org EPSS. Curated for EU compliance use cases by Adam Lundqvist, Founder at SQUR.