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CVE Record

CVE-2020-14971: Pi-hole through 5.0 allows code injection in piholedhcp (the Static DHCP Leases section) by modifying Telep...

Pi-hole through 5.0 allows code injection in piholedhcp (the Static DHCP Leases section) by modifying Teleporter backup files and then restoring them. This occurs in settings.php. To exploit this, an attacker would request a backup of limited files via teleporter.php. These are placed into a .tar.gz archive. The attacker then modifies the host parameter in dnsmasq.d files, and then compresses and uploads these files again.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

Pi-hole through 5.0 could allow code injection through its Teleporter backup and restore workflow. The issue involves tampering with backup files for Static DHCP Leases and restoring them. This matters most where Pi-hole administration is exposed beyond trusted administrators or where untrusted backup archives may be restored.

Executive priority

Treat this as a targeted administrative-plane risk, not a confirmed mass-exploitation emergency. Prioritize systems where Pi-hole is exposed, shared with non-admin users, or restores backups from outside trusted change control.

Technical view

The flaw is in settings.php handling of piholedhcp Static DHCP Leases during Teleporter restore. A party able to obtain a backup, modify dnsmasq.d host parameters, and restore the archive could trigger code injection. The bundle links Pi-hole AdminLTE PR #1443 and two commits, but provides no CVSS, CWE, or fixed release.

Likely exposure

Exposure is likely limited to Pi-hole deployments through 5.0 where an attacker can access administrative Teleporter backup and restore functions or influence restored backup archives.

Exploitation context

The CVE description outlines a backup tampering and restore path. The source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing, active exploitation evidence, public exploit status, or exploitation at internet scale.

Researcher notes

Evidence is narrow but coherent: the CVE description names the vulnerable workflow and files, while Pi-hole AdminLTE PR and commits confirm upstream handling. Missing data includes CVSS, CWE, affected CPEs, exploit prevalence, and a named fixed version.

Mitigation direction

  • Restrict Pi-hole admin and Teleporter access to trusted administrators only.
  • Do not restore Teleporter backups from untrusted or unverifiable sources.
  • Review Pi-hole AdminLTE PR #1443 and linked commits for vendor correction details.
  • Check Pi-hole vendor guidance for the fixed release before upgrading.
  • Preserve suspect backups and admin logs for investigation.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Pi-hole instances and identify versions through 5.0.
  • Confirm whether Teleporter backup and restore is accessible to non-trusted users.
  • Review recent restored backups for unexpected dnsmasq.d Static DHCP Lease changes.
  • Check AdminLTE code or release notes for the linked fix commits.
  • Look for unusual Pi-hole admin activity around backup creation or restoration.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
6

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Unknown
CVSS
Not scored
Known Exploited
No
Published
Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

0CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
5Source links

CVSS and timeline data

No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
n/an/an/aListed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.