IRONSMITHINTEL
HIGHCVSS7.5
|
Actively Exploited
|CISA KEV|CVE-2018-15811|Auth: none — unauthenticated|Reboot: required|Manual only

DotNetNuke (DNN) Inadequate Encryption Strength Vulnerability

DotNetNuke (DNN) contains an inadequate encryption strength vulnerability resulting from the use of a weak encryption algorithm to protect input parameters.

Published Jul 3, 2019 · Updated May 16, 2026
Why patchRisk explained in plain English
Worst-case scenarioIf unpatched

A remote attacker, without authentication, can achieve full data confidentiality loss. Federal agencies are required to remediate by 2022-05-03 under CISA BOD 22-01.

How the attack worksNo clicks needed

This is a Software Vulnerability (CWE-326) (CWE-326) vulnerability in DotNetNuke (DNN) DotNetNuke (DNN). DNN (aka DotNetNuke) 9.2 through 9.2.1 uses a weak encryption algorithm to protect input parameters. Exploitation requires remote network access, low attack complexity, no authentication required, and no user interaction required.

📧

Phishing link

🖼

Malicious file

🔓

Server compromised

Am I affected?Quick check

Probably yes if any of these apply:

IT Security
Running dotnetnuke: 9.2 ≤ v ≤ 9.2.1
Real-world incidentsWhat we've seen

Active exploitation documented in the wild. Threat-research write-up: http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/157080/DotNetNuke-Cookie-Deserialization-Remote-Code-Execution.html

How to patch

Manual remediation steps

Apply the Vendor Patch

This vulnerability is in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog — apply the vendor's security update as soon as possible.

CISA required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.

References

    1
    Vendor advisory: https://www.dnnsoftware.com/community/security/security-center
    1
    NVD entry: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-15811
    1
    CISA KEV: https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2018-15811
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