pfSense CE and pfSense Plus: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory
CVE-2022-26019 is a high-severity improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory vulnerability in pfSense CE and pfSense Plus from pfSense, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 4.5% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is in the top 8.36% of all scored CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update Pfsense to 2.6.0 or a later version.
- Update Pfsense Plus to 22.01 or a later version.
- Read the advisory on docs.netgate.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| pfSense | pfSense CE and pfSense Plus | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Netgate | Pfsense | before 2.6.0 | 2.6.0 |
| Netgate | Pfsense Plus | before 22.01 | 22.01 |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- LowA basic user account is enough.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.8 | High | NVD |
| CVSS 2.0 | 8.5 | High | NVD |
Official description
Improper access control vulnerability in pfSense CE and pfSense Plus (pfSense CE software versions prior to 2.6.0 and pfSense Plus software versions prior to 22.01) allows a remote attacker with the privilege to change NTP GPS settings to rewrite existing files on the file system, which may result in arbitrary command execution.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory
The product uses external input to construct a pathname that is intended to identify a file or directory that is located underneath a restricted parent directory, but the product does not properly neutralize special elements within the pathname that can cause the pathname to resolve to a location that is outside of the restricted directory.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- For any security checks that are performed on the client side, ensure that these checks are duplicated on the server side, in order to avoid CWE-602. Attackers can bypass the client-side checks by modifying values after the checks have been performed, or by changing the client to remove the client-side checks entirely. Then, these modified values would be submitted to the server.
- Use a vetted library or framework that does not allow this weakness to occur or provides constructs that make this weakness easier to avoid.
- Use an application firewall that can detect attacks against this weakness. It can be beneficial in cases in which the code cannot be fixed (because it is controlled by a third party), as an emergency prevention measure while more comprehensive software assurance measures are applied, or to provide defense in depth.
More Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory vulnerabilities (CWE-22)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
Patches and release notes
- jvn.jp/en/jp/JVN87751554/index.htmlThird Party Advisory
Other vulnerabilities in pfSense CE and pfSense Plus
- 8.8 High severity
Recent Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory vulnerabilities
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 8.8 High severity
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