Unauthenticated Remote Code Execution via Backup Restore in nginx-ui
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- Passive
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Attack requirements
- Present
- Impact type
- Code execution
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · High · High
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 4.0 · CNA. Fix status from CNA and GitHub. Impact type from CWE-94.
Summary
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.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- Poc
- Automatable
- No
- Technical impact
- Total
The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0xJacky | nginx-ui | before 2.3.8 | 2.3.8 | Patch available | CNA |
| — | github.com/0xJacky/nginx-ui (Go) | before 2.3.8 | 2.3.8 | Patch available | GHSA-4pvg-prr3-9cxr |
- nginx-ui Vendor0xJacky Affected before 2.3.8 Fixed in 2.3.8 Patch available CNA
- github.com/0xJacky/nginx-ui (Go) Vendor— Affected before 2.3.8 Fixed in 2.3.8 Patch available GHSA-4pvg-prr3-9cxr
Remediation
- Fix · CNA nginx-ui (0xJacky) Fixed in 2.3.8
- Fix · GHSA-4pvg-prr3-9cxr github.com/0xJacky/nginx-ui (Go) Fixed in 2.3.8 Advisory →
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-42238
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-4pvg-prr3-9cxr
References
More 0xJacky Nginx Ui vulnerabilities
- TI-2026-25478 Nginx UI: Unauthenticated MCP Endpoint Allows Remote Nginx Takeover CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
- TI-2026-25472 nginx-ui Backup Restore Allows Tampering with Encrypted Backups CVSS 4.0CRITICAL 9.4
- TI-2026-22288 Nginx UI: Unauthenticated Backup Download with Encryption Key Disclosure CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
- TI-2024-15821 Nginx-UI arbitrary file write through the Import Certificate feature CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
- TI-2026-70057 Code injection in Nginx UI backup restore allows code execution CVSS 4.0CRITICAL 9.4
- TI-2026-32056 Nginx UI: Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) via Cluster Proxy Middleware Allows Access to Internal Services CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.9
Sources
- CVE-2026-42238 · CVE Program
- CVE-2026-42238 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-4pvg-prr3-9cxr · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences