CVE-2024-3738 in nginxWebUI
Summary
by MITRE • 04/14/2024
A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in cym1102 nginxWebUI up to 3.9.9. This affects the function handlePath of the file /adminPage/conf/saveCmd. The manipulation of the argument nginxPath leads to improper certificate validation. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The identifier VDB-260577 was assigned to this vulnerability.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/21/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-3738 represents a critical security flaw within the cym1102 nginxWebUI application version 3.9.9 and earlier. This issue resides within the handlePath function of the /adminPage/conf/saveCmd file, where improper certificate validation occurs due to manipulation of the nginxPath argument. The vulnerability's classification as critical indicates severe potential impact on system security and operations. The flaw allows for remote exploitation, making it particularly dangerous as attackers can leverage this weakness without requiring physical access to the target system. The disclosure of exploit details through public channels significantly increases the risk to affected organizations, as malicious actors can readily implement attacks against vulnerable installations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and certificate verification mechanisms within the nginxWebUI's configuration handling process. When the nginxPath argument is manipulated, the application fails to properly validate SSL/TLS certificates during certificate operations, potentially allowing for man-in-the-middle attacks or certificate forgery scenarios. This improper certificate validation creates opportunities for attackers to intercept or manipulate communications between the web interface and nginx server components. The vulnerability specifically targets the administrative configuration functionality, which typically requires elevated privileges and provides direct access to core system operations. The ATT&CK framework classification would likely map to T1071.004 (Application Layer Protocol: DNS) and T1566 (Phishing) as attackers might use this vulnerability to establish persistent access or escalate privileges through compromised administrative interfaces.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-3738 extends beyond simple data compromise, as it potentially enables full administrative control over affected nginxWebUI installations. Organizations running vulnerable versions face risks of unauthorized configuration changes, certificate manipulation, and possible data exfiltration through compromised administrative interfaces. The remote exploitability means that attackers can target systems from anywhere on the internet, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous for organizations with exposed administrative web interfaces. This vulnerability directly impacts the integrity and confidentiality of system configurations, as attackers can modify nginx server settings or manipulate certificate validation processes to gain unauthorized access. The CWE classification for this vulnerability would likely fall under CWE-295 (Improper Certificate Validation) or CWE-310 (Cryptographic Issues), given the certificate validation failure and potential cryptographic implications.
Organizations must immediately implement mitigations to protect against exploitation of CVE-2024-3738. The primary recommended action involves upgrading to a patched version of cym1102 nginxWebUI, as this represents the most effective long-term solution. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of administrative interfaces to trusted networks only. Additional mitigations include implementing strict certificate validation policies, monitoring for unusual administrative activities, and conducting thorough vulnerability assessments of all nginxWebUI installations. Security teams should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures specific to this vulnerability. The VDB-260577 identifier indicates this vulnerability has been catalogued in vulnerability databases, making it easier for security professionals to identify and remediate affected systems. Organizations should also review their certificate management practices and ensure proper certificate validation procedures are in place to prevent similar issues in other components of their infrastructure.