CVE-2020-8816
CVE-2020-8816 is a security flaw in Pi-hole AdminLTE. Attackers can run their own code on Pi-hole AdminLTE. The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) added it to its catalog of flaws known to be used in attacks on 10 Dec 2021.[1]
Pi-hole AdminLTE is business software or equipment. Most families won’t have it, but attackers break into it to get inside companies, and from there to what those companies hold about their customers, patients and staff.
Description
CISA calls it a remote code execution in Pi-hole AdminLTE. In its words: “Pi-hole Web v4.3.2 (aka AdminLTE) allows Remote Code Execution by privileged dashboard users via a crafted DHCP static lease.”[1]
The underlying weakness is OS command injection (CWE-78), in MITRE’s list of common software weaknesses.[2]
It scores 7.2 out of 10 on the Common Vulnerability Scoring System, which rates it high, scored by NVD using CVSS 3.1.[2]
Affected versions
NVD’s record doesn’t list version ranges for it. CISA names the product as Pi-hole AdminLTE.
Most families won’t have Pi-hole AdminLTE; it’s for whoever looks after IT at work.
Exploitation
CISA added it to its catalog of known exploited vulnerabilities on 10 Dec 2021, 560 days after it was made public. CISA lists a flaw only when it has reliable evidence of it being exploited, and gave US federal agencies until 10 Jun 2022 to fix it.[1]
FIRST’s Exploit Prediction Scoring System, which estimates how likely a flaw is to be used in attacks in the next 30 days from what it sees across the internet, puts it at 78%. That’s in the top 1% of the flaws it scores.[3]
CISA assesses it as not automatable: each attack takes some work.
CISA doesn’t say who was attacked, or how.
Fix
CISA’s required action: “Apply updates per vendor instructions.”[1]
- Check whether you use it.Pi-hole AdminLTE is business software or equipment, so most families won’t have it. If you run a business, or work from home on company equipment, ask whoever looks after your IT.
- Send this page to your IT person.Ask them to confirm it’s fixed, or not in use. CISA gave US government agencies until 10 Jun 2022 to fix it.
- If it can’t be fixed, take it offline.CISA’s advice when there’s no fix is to stop using the product, or take it off the internet, until there is one.
You can’t fix someone else’s server, but you can watch for what follows a break-in like this: a breach notice, a password reset you didn’t ask for, or a scam message that knows things it shouldn’t. HARD watches for those for you and your family.
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| The flaw is made public in the National Vulnerability Database, with a severity score of 7.2.[2] | |
| CISA adds it to its catalog of flaws known to be used in attacks.[1] | |
| CISA’s deadline for US government agencies to fix it.[1] | |
| FIRST puts the odds of it being used in attacks in the next 30 days at 78%.[3] |
See also
Other OS command injection flaws
- CVE-2026-110447, Collabora Online – Built-in CODE Server: online – built-in CODE server OS command injection ·
- CVE-2026-106931, EG Secure Solutions SiteGuard Server Edition: OS command injection ·
- CVE-2026-83549, SonicWall SMA1000 Appliances: OS command injection ·
- CVE-2026-49869, Kestra OSS: OSS OS command injection ·
- CVE-2026-73570, Synacor Zimbra Collaboration Suite (ZCS): OS command injection ·
Added the same day
- CVE-2021-44515, Zoho Desktop Central: authentication bypass ·
- CVE-2021-44228, Apache Log4j2: remote code execution ·
- CVE-2021-44168, Fortinet FortiOS: arbitrary file download ·
- CVE-2021-35394, Realtek Jungle Software Development Kit (SDK): jungle SDK remote code execution ·
- CVE-2020-17463, Fuel CMS: SQL injection ·
References
- ^ Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. “Pi-Hole AdminLTE Remote Code Execution Vulnerability”. Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog, added 10 Dec 2021.
- ^ National Institute of Standards and Technology. “CVE-2020-8816 Detail”. National Vulnerability Database, published 29 May 2020.
- ^ FIRST. “Exploit Prediction Scoring System”. EPSS 0.783, percentile 99.6, 31 Oct 2026.
- CVE Program. “CVE-2020-8816”. The official CVE record.
This article is built from CISA’s catalog (version 2026.10.30), NVD’s record and FIRST’s scores, kept in HARD’s database and checked every morning. The plain English is HARD’s.