Pfsense: XML Injection
CVE-2023-27253 is a high-severity XML injection vulnerability in Pfsense from Netgate, 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. Affected Pfsense versions: 2.7.0. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 89.5% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is in the top 0.21% of all scored CVEs.
Exploitation in the next 30 days is more likely than not, according to EPSS.
What to do
- Check which version of Pfsense you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Read the advisory on redmine.pfsense.org for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
Affected products and versions
Version data comes from NVD's product matching. 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.
Official description
A command injection vulnerability in the function restore_rrddata() of Netgate pfSense v2.7.0 allows authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary commands via manipulating the contents of an XML file supplied to the component config.xml.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: XML Injection
The product does not properly neutralize special elements that are used in XML, allowing attackers to modify the syntax, content, or commands of the XML before it is processed by an end system.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
- redmine.pfsense.org/issues/13935Issue Tracking
Patches and release notes
Other references
Other vulnerabilities in Pfsense
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
Recent XML Injection vulnerabilities
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
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