CVE-2020-8816
Confirmed PUBLISHEDPi-hole Web v4.3.2 (aka AdminLTE) allows Remote Code Execution by privileged dashboard users via a crafted DHCP static lease.
Recommended Action
Prioritize remediation. Validate affected assets and apply vendor fixes on an accelerated timeline.
At a Glance
Pi-hole Web v4.3.2 (aka AdminLTE) allows Remote Code Execution by privileged dashboard users via a crafted DHCP static lease.
- CVE Published
- May 29, 2020
- Exploitation Reported
- Dec 10, 2021
- CVSS
- 9.1 Critical
- EPSS
- —
Affected Versions
| Vendor | Product | Version | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| n/a |
n/a
|
n/a |
Affected |
CVE References
- GitHub — pi-hole/AdminLTE github.com · CVE Record https://github.com/pi-hole/AdminLTE/commits/master
- packetstormsecurity.com/files/157861/Pi-Hole-4.3.2-DHCP-MAC-OS-Comma... packetstormsecurity.com · CVE Record http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/157861/Pi-Hole-4.3.2-DHCP-MAC-OS...
- natedotred.wordpress.com/2020/03/28/cve-2020-8816-pi-hole-remote-code... natedotred.wordpress.com · CVE Record https://natedotred.wordpress.com/2020/03/28/cve-2020-8816-pi-hole-rem...
- twitter.com/Nate_Kappa/status/1243900213665902592 twitter.com · CVE Record https://twitter.com/Nate_Kappa/status/1243900213665902592?s=20
- GitHub — pi-hole/AdminLTE github.com · CVE Record https://github.com/pi-hole/AdminLTE/releases/tag/v4.3.3
Show 2 more references
- GitHub — pi-hole/AdminLTE github.com · CVE Record https://github.com/pi-hole/AdminLTE/pull/1165
- packetstormsecurity.com/files/158737/Pi-hole-4.3.2-Remote-Code-Execu... packetstormsecurity.com · CVE Record http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/158737/Pi-hole-4.3.2-Remote-Code...
Recommended Actions
- Prioritize remediation. Validate affected assets and apply vendor fixes on an accelerated timeline.
- Check enrichment artifacts for scanner coverage and available PoCs before rolling remediation validation.
- Use the Pro API to automate enrichment, telemetry, and workflow delivery for VM, SOC, and CTI pipelines.
Known Exploited Vulnerability Sources
Catalogues that list this CVE as a known exploited vulnerability.
Per-source evidence links for KEV attestations are available through the KEVIntel Pro API.
Learn about Pro API access| Source | Added |
|---|---|
| CISA First | 2021-12-10 00:00 UTC |
Scanner Artifacts
Nuclei and Metasploit references linked to this CVE.
| Scanner | Reference | Detected |
|---|---|---|
| Metasploit | https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/blob/master/modules/exploits/unix/http/pihole_dhcp_mac_exec.rb | Apr 28, 2025 |
Virtual Patch
Compensating WAF rules to help reduce exposure to this CVE. Rule content and deployable vendor exports are available with KEVIntel Enterprise.
KEVIntel does not currently have a virtual patch for this CVE. When available, KEVIntel virtual patches ship as deployable ModSecurity, Cloudflare, and AWS WAF rules.
Enterprise feature. Virtual patch rule content and deployable vendor exports (ModSecurity, Cloudflare, AWS WAF) are available to KEVIntel Enterprise users.
CVSS Scores
CVSS:3.0/AC:L/AV:N/A:H/C:H/I:H/PR:H/S:C/UI:N
Exploitation Status
Exploited in the wild
Recorded 2021-12-10 00:00:00 UTC · CISA
Proof of concept available
Recorded 2020-05-10 01:12:28 UTC · GitHub
Weaknesses (CWE)
-
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')
Scanner Integrations
| Scanner | Reference | Detected |
|---|---|---|
| Metasploit | https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/blob/master/modules/exploits/unix/http/pihole_dhcp_mac_exec.rb | Apr 28, 2025 |
Potential Proof of Concepts
These PoCs are unverified and could contain malware. Use at your own risk.
github · Created 2020-08-06 14:04:54 UTC · 6 stars
Pi-hole ( <= 4.3.2) authenticated remote code execution.
github · Created 2020-08-04 10:23:28 UTC · 12 stars
Pi-hole Remote Code Execution authenticated Version >= 4.3.2
github · Created 2020-06-15 18:24:19 UTC · 1 stars
A PoC for CVE-2020-8816 that does not use $PATH but $PWD and globbing
github · Created 2020-05-10 01:12:28 UTC · 10 stars
A Python script to exploit CVE-2020-8816, a remote code execution vulnerability on the Pi-hole
Timeline
Key exploitation, disclosure, scanner coverage, and KEV attestation events for this CVE.
-
15:02 UTC about 1 year ago15:02 UTC · about 1 year ago
Metasploit module available
Exploit module available
-
00:00 UTC over 4 years ago00:00 UTC · over 4 years ago
Added to CISA KEV
Listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog
-
18:57 UTC about 6 years ago18:57 UTC · about 6 years ago
CVE published
Vulnerability disclosed publicly
-
01:12 UTC about 6 years ago01:12 UTC · about 6 years ago
Public PoC available
Public proof-of-concept code published
-
00:00 UTC over 6 years ago00:00 UTC · over 6 years ago
CVE ID reserved
Identifier reserved by the CNA
Automate This Intelligence with the Pro API
Confidence scoring, exploit status, sensor telemetry, PoCs, scanner integrations, mentions, and tags are available programmatically for VM, SOC, and CTI workflows.
Pro API Example
GET /api/v2/pro/kevs/CVE-2020-8816
{
"cve_id": "CVE-2020-8816",
"title": "Pi-hole Web v4.3.2 (aka AdminLTE) allows Remote Code Execution by privileged ...",
"affected_vendor": "Pi-hole",
"affected_product": "Pi-hole Web",
"affected_versions": [
{ "vendor": "...", "product": "...", "status": "affected", "display_label": "..." }
],
"confidence": "Confirmed",
"cvss_score": 9.1,
"epss_score": null,
"exploit_status": {
"exploited_in_the_wild": true,
"active_exploitation_observed": false
},
"sensor_telemetry": { "...": "Pro API fields" },
"proof_of_concepts": [ "..." ],
"scanner_integrations": [ "..." ]
}