CVE-2020-8816
CVE-2020-8816 is a high-severity vulnerability in Pi-hole with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.2. It is listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, confirming it has been exploited in the wild (added 2021-12-10). The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-78.
Key facts
- Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.2)
- CVSS v2: 6.5
- EPSS exploit prediction: 78% (100th percentile)
- Actively exploited: Yes — listed in CISA KEV (added 2021-12-10)
- EU (EUVD) id: EUVD-2020-29664
- EU exploitation: Flagged exploited in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (since 2021-12-10)
- Weakness: CWE-78
- Affected product: Pi-hole
- Published:
- Last modified:
Description
Pi-hole Web v4.3.2 (aka AdminLTE) allows Remote Code Execution by privileged dashboard users via a crafted DHCP static lease.
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2020-8816?
- Pi-hole Web v4.3.2 (aka AdminLTE) allows Remote Code Execution by privileged dashboard users via a crafted DHCP static lease.
- How severe is CVE-2020-8816?
- CVE-2020-8816 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.2, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires high privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
- Is CVE-2020-8816 being actively exploited?
- Yes. CVE-2020-8816 is on CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, added on 2021-12-10, which means active exploitation has been confirmed. It should be prioritised for remediation.
- What products are affected by CVE-2020-8816?
- CVE-2020-8816 affects Pi-hole. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
- How do I fix CVE-2020-8816?
- Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Because this CVE is known to be actively exploited, treat remediation as urgent — CISA KEV typically sets a short remediation deadline.
- Does CVE-2020-8816 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?
- Yes. CVE-2020-8816 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2020-29664. It is also flagged as exploited in the EUVD (since 2021-12-10).
- When was CVE-2020-8816 published?
- CVE-2020-8816 was published on 2020-05-29 and last updated on 2026-06-17.
References
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/157861/Pi-Hole-4.3.2-DHCP-MAC-OS-Command-Execution.html
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/158737/Pi-hole-4.3.2-Remote-Code-Execution.html
- https://github.com/pi-hole/AdminLTE/commits/master
- https://github.com/pi-hole/AdminLTE/pull/1165
- https://github.com/pi-hole/AdminLTE/releases/tag/v4.3.3
- https://natedotred.wordpress.com/2020/03/28/cve-2020-8816-pi-hole-remote-code-execution/
- https://twitter.com/Nate_Kappa/status/1243900213665902592?s=20
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2020-8816
Affected products (1)
- cpe:2.3:a:pi-hole:pi-hole:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
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