CVE-2026-42221 PUBLISHED

nginx-ui: Unauthenticated First-Run Installer Allows Remote Initial Admin Claim

Assigner: GitHub_M
Reserved: 25.04.2026 Published: 04.05.2026 Updated: 04.05.2026

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.

Metrics

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CVSS Score: 8.1

Product Status

Vendor 0xJacky
Product nginx-ui
Versions
  • Version >= 2.0.0, < 2.3.8 is affected

References

Problem Types

  • CWE-306: Missing Authentication for Critical Function CWE