CVE-2020-36969: M/Monit 3.7.4 contains a privilege escalation vulnerability that allows authenticated users to modify user per

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HIGH 8.8DOWNGRADE

CVE-2020-36969 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 8.8) affecting m\/monit. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

M/Monit 3.7.4 contains a privilege escalation vulnerability that allows authenticated users to modify user permissions by manipulating the admin parameter. Attackers can send a POST request to the /api/1/admin/users/update endpoint with a crafted payload to grant administrative access to a standard user account.

Why this priority

High severity
Public exploit reference

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	8.8 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.5% (top 57%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-863
Published	2026-01-28
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): VulnCheck · Vendor: tildeslash

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2026-01-28 18:16 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 03:16 UTCUpdated Record last modified

tildeslash m\/monit DOWNGRADE

Affected: 3.7.4

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 3.7.4

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy mmonit || rpm -q mmonit || mmonit --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 3.7.4 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison mmonit sudo apt install mmonit=<VERSION_BEFORE_3.7.4> sudo apt-mark hold mmonit

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list mmonit sudo dnf downgrade mmonit-<VERSION_BEFORE_3.7.4> sudo dnf versionlock add mmonit

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2020-36969?

m\/monit: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2020-36969 being exploited?

CVE-2020-36969 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2020-36969 affect?

CVE-2020-36969 affects m\/monit. Severity is high (CVSS 8.8). M/Monit 3.7.4 contains a privilege escalation vulnerability that allows authenticated users to modify user permissions by manipulating the admin parameter. Attackers can send a POST request to the /api/1/admin/users/update endpoint with a c

How urgent is CVE-2020-36969?

Priority 46/100. High severity; Public exploit reference

Related CVEs

CVE-2020-36968 MEDIUM 6.5 DOWNGRADE M/Monit 3.7.4 contains an authentication vulnerability that allows authenticated attackers to retrieve user pa

References

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