Critical severity · published May 4, 2026
CVE-2026-42238
Unauthenticated Remote Code Execution via Backup Restore in nginx-ui
9.8
CVSS
1%
EPSS
No
On KEV
Description
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.
CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Attack vector
Network
Complexity
Low
Privileges
None
User interaction
None
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High
Scope
Unchanged
Exploitation
Is it being used?
Exploit prediction (EPSS)1.0% · higher than 62% of CVEs
Exploited in the wildNo evidence yet
CISA KEVNot listed
Ransomware campaign useNot known
Affected products
Which versions
NG
nginx-ui · 0xJacky
< 2.3.8 · source: vendor
NU
Nginx UI · Nginxui
before 2.3.8 · source: NVD
Affected product
NG
nginx-ui
0xJacky
More from nginx-ui
9.9
CVE-2026-44015
Nginx UI: Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) via Cluster Proxy Middleware Allows Access to Internal Services
9.9
CVE-2026-33030
Nginx UI: Unencrypted Storage of DNS API Tokens and ACME Private Keys
9.8
CVE-2026-42222
nginx-ui: Unauthenticated first-boot instance claim via POST /api/install allows remote bootstrap takeover
9.8
CVE-2026-42221
nginx-ui: Unauthenticated First-Run Installer Allows Remote Initial Admin Claim
9.8
CVE-2026-33032
Nginx UI: Unauthenticated MCP Endpoint Allows Remote Nginx Takeover