Pfsense Ce: Improper Control of Generation of Code
CVE-2024-54780 is a high-severity improper control of generation of code vulnerability in Pfsense Ce 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. The record lists version 2.8.0 as the first without the flaw, so updating Pfsense Ce to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 12.7% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is in the top 3.67% of all scored CVEs.
EPSS places it among the vulnerabilities most likely to be exploited soon.
What to do
- Update Pfsense Ce to 2.8.0 or a later version.
- Update Pfsense Plus to 25.03 or a later version.
- Read the advisory on netgate.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Netgate | Pfsense Ce | before 2.8.0 | 2.8.0 |
| Netgate | Pfsense Plus | before 25.03 | 25.03 |
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 CISA (ADP).
Official description
Netgate pfSense CE (prior to 2.8.0 beta release) and corresponding Plus builds are vulnerable to command injection in the OpenVPN widget due to improper sanitization of user-supplied input to the OpenVPN management interface. An authenticated attacker can exploit this vulnerability by injecting arbitrary OpenVPN management commands via the remipp parameter.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Control of Generation of Code
The product constructs all or part of a code segment using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the syntax or behavior of the intended code segment.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Refactor your program so that you do not have to dynamically generate code.
- Run your code in a jail or similar sandbox environment that enforces strict boundaries between the process and the operating system. This may effectively restrict which code can be executed by your product. Examples include the Unix chroot jail and AppArmor. In general, managed code may provide some protection. This may not be a feasible solution, and it only limits the impact to the operating system; the rest of your application may still be subject to compromise. Be careful to avoid CWE-243 and other weaknesses related to jails.
- Use dynamic tools and techniques that interact with the product using large test suites with many diverse inputs, such as fuzz testing (fuzzing), robustness testing, and fault injection. The product's operation may slow down, but it should not become unstable, crash, or generate incorrect results.
More Improper Control of Generation of Code vulnerabilities (CWE-94)
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
Technical write-ups (may include proof of concept)
- blog.brillantit.com/exploiting-pfsense-xss-command-injection-cloud-hijack/Exploit, Third Party Advisory
Other vulnerabilities in Pfsense Ce
- 7.2 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
Recent Improper Control of Generation of Code vulnerabilities
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.3 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
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