Vulnerability · Published Oct 15, 2026 · Assigned by VulnCheck

CVE-2026-111231Netgate pfSense CE through 2.9.0 Authorization Bypass via config_restore() and config_install()

High 7.2

In plain English

A high-severity incorrect authorization in pfSense CE from Netgate. Proof-of-concept exploit code is public. The chance it is exploited in the next 30 days is estimated at 0.8% (higher than 58% of all known vulnerabilities).

Severity (CVSS 3.1)7.2High

Exploit odds (30 days)0.8%top 41.9% of all CVEs

Exploited in the wildNo reportsCISA SSVC: poc

Attack toolingNoneno public tooling known

Official description

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.

Affected products (as reported)

Vendor	Product	Versions
Netgate	pfSense CE	0 – through 2.9.0

Weakness: CWE-863 · Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

References

https://github.com/abraxas/pfsense-config-readonly-restore exploit, technical-description
https://abraxaslabs.tech/research/pfsense-ce-leftovers technical-description
https://github.com/pfsense/pfsense/blob/9363ac5b8651a1c7a333180425ce7719070f95f9/src/etc/inc/config.lib.inc#L743-L798 technical-description
https://github.com/pfsense/pfsense/blob/9363ac5b8651a1c7a333180425ce7719070f95f9/src/etc/inc/config.lib.inc#L588-L597 technical-description
VulnCheck Advisory: Netgate pfSense CE through 2.9.0 Authorization Bypass via config_restore() and config_install() third-party-advisory