# CVE-2026-40519: Nginx Proxy Manager OS command injection in setupCertbotPlugins

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-40519-nginx-proxy-manager-os-command-injection-in-setupcertbotplugins  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-06-08. Updated: 2026-06-08  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-40519 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.5 · Published 2026-06-08

Nginx Proxy Manager, a tool for managing Nginx proxy settings via a web interface, is vulnerable to a security flaw that allows an authorized user to take full control of the server. By entering specially crafted text into the DNS provider credentials field, an attacker can force the system to run unauthorized commands. This could lead to the theft of SSL certificates, access to private databases, or a complete takeover of the host system, especially when running in Docker environments.

Technologies: [Nginx Proxy Manager Proxy Manager](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/proxy-manager). Vendors: [Nginx Proxy Manager](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/nginx-proxy-manager).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-40519 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-40519 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-40519?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.5, published 8 June 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Nginx Proxy Manager Proxy Manager 2.9.14 through 2.15.1.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-40519?** A patch was published on 2026-06-07: Fix merged into develop branch via commit a5db5ed Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-40519 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a network appliance.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-40519?** Check whether you run Nginx Proxy Manager Proxy Manager at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Technical details

An OS command injection vulnerability exists in the `setupCertbotPlugins()` function within `backend/setup.js` of Nginx Proxy Manager. The vulnerability stems from the improper neutralization of the `dns_provider_credentials` field, which is interpolated directly into a shell command executed via `child_process.exec()`. An attacker with `certificates:manage` permissions can provide a malicious payload that escapes the shell's single-quote wrapping. The injected commands are executed with the privileges of the application (often root in Docker containers) when the backend restarts. The issue was resolved in commit `a5db5ed` by migrating from shell-based command execution to native Node.js `fs` module operations for handling credential files.

## Affected products

- Nginx Proxy Manager Nginx Proxy Manager 2.9.14 through 2.15.1

## Timeline

- 2026-04-19: disclosed: Initial vulnerability report and PR submitted by researcher
- 2026-06-07: patched: Fix merged into develop branch via commit a5db5ed
- 2026-06-08: advisory: CVE-2026-40519 published

## References

- [https://github.com/NginxProxyManager/nginx-proxy-manager/commit/a5db5ed156355e3088e7d1ceb0533d4bae922def](https://github.com/NginxProxyManager/nginx-proxy-manager/commit/a5db5ed156355e3088e7d1ceb0533d4bae922def)
- [https://github.com/NginxProxyManager/nginx-proxy-manager/pull/5498](https://github.com/NginxProxyManager/nginx-proxy-manager/pull/5498)
- [https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/nginx-proxy-manager-authenticated-rce-via-setupcertbotplugins](https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/nginx-proxy-manager-authenticated-rce-via-setupcertbotplugins)

## Related threats

- [Nginx Proxy Manager private key disclosure in certificate download endpoint](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-50892-nginx-proxy-manager-private-key-disclosure-in-certificate)