IRONSMITHINTEL
HIGHCVSS7.2
|
Actively Exploited
|CISA KEV|CVE-2020-8816|Auth: high — administrative privileges|Reboot: required|Manual only

Pi-Hole AdminLTE Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Pi-hole Web v4.3.2 (aka AdminLTE) allows Remote Code Execution by privileged dashboard users via a crafted DHCP static lease.

Published May 29, 2020 · Updated May 16, 2026
Why patchRisk explained in plain English
Worst-case scenarioIf unpatched

A remote attacker, with administrative privileges, can achieve full data confidentiality loss, arbitrary modification of data, complete denial of service or system unavailability. Federal agencies are required to remediate by 2022-06-10 under CISA BOD 22-01.

How the attack worksNo clicks needed

This is a OS Command Injection (CWE-78) vulnerability in Pi-hole AdminLTE. Pi-hole Web v4.3.2 (aka AdminLTE) allows Remote Code Execution by privileged dashboard users via a crafted DHCP static lease. Exploitation requires remote network access, low attack complexity, an administrative account, and no user interaction required.

Am I affected?Quick check

Probably yes if any of these apply:

IT Security
Running pi-hole: v ≤ 4.3.2
Real-world incidentsWhat we've seen

Active exploitation documented in the wild. Threat-research write-up: https://natedotred.wordpress.com/2020/03/28/cve-2020-8816-pi-hole-remote-code-execution/

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://github.com/pi-hole/AdminLTE/commits/master
    1
    NVD entry: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-8816
    1
    CISA KEV: https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2020-8816
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