CVE-2023-36821Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Authenticated code execution via npm lifecycle scripts

Published Jul 5, 2023 · Updated Oct 18, 2024

Remote code execution in Louis Lam Uptime Kuma before 1.22.1 allows remote authenticated users to execute code via a crafted plugin. The installPlugin Socket.IO handler accepts an arbitrary plugin repository, then runs npm install without disabling scripts, executing attacker-controlled lifecycle scripts. A valid account and access to the hidden API endpoint are required; successful exploitation runs code with the Uptime Kuma server process privileges.

CVSS severity8.8
High
EPSS probability2.02%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Remote code execution in Louis Lam Uptime Kuma before 1.22.1 allows remote authenticated users to execute code via a crafted plugin. The installPlugin Socket.IO handler accepts an arbitrary plugin repository, then runs npm install without disabling scripts, executing attacker-controlled lifecycle scripts. A valid account and access to the hidden API endpoint are required; successful exploitation runs code with the Uptime Kuma server process privileges.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-36821
Published
Jul 5, 2023
Updated
Oct 18, 2024
Vendor
Louis Lam
Product
Uptime Kuma
Classifications
CWE-20, T1190
Attack vector
network
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jul 5, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Oct 18, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=0 <1.22.1
  2. Affected versionversion=< 1.22.1

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Louis Lam · Uptime Kumaversion=0 <1.22.1; version=< 1.22.1

Published CVSS scores

8.8GitHubCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-20Improper Input Validation
T1190Exploit Public-Facing Application

Public exploit references

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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