CVE-2026-111231
HIGH severity · CVSS 7.2 · Incorrect authorization
7.2CVSS HIGH
Summary
Netgate pfSense CE through 2.9.0 contains an authorization bypass vulnerability that allows read-only WebGUI users to replace config.xml because config_restore() and config_install() ignore the 'User - Config: Deny Config Write' privilege. Attackers holding page privileges for services_acb.php, uploadconfig.php, diag_confbak.php, or diag_backup.php can install a chosen config.xml to gain root-level code execution after reload or reboot.
Impact & exploitability
Attack vectorNetwork
Attack complexityLow
Privileges requiredHigh
User interactionNone
Confidentiality impactHigh
Integrity impactHigh
Availability impactHigh
Exploit probability (EPSS)1%
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Affected products we track (1)
Recommendation
Apply the vendor fix promptly. Open any affected product above for its exact safe version.
Additional information
- NVD record
- https://abraxaslabs.tech/research/pfsense-ce-leftovers
- https://github.com/abraxas/pfsense-config-readonly-restoreAdvisory
- https://github.com/pfsense/pfsense/blob/9363ac5b8651a1c7a333180425ce7719070f95f9/src/etc/inc/config.lib.inc#L588-L597
- https://github.com/pfsense/pfsense/blob/9363ac5b8651a1c7a333180425ce7719070f95f9/src/etc/inc/config.lib.inc#L743-L798
- https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/netgate-pfsense-ce-through-2.9.0-authorization-bypass-via-config-restore-and-config-installAdvisory