CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2026-57154NVD status: Awaiting Analysis

core: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component

Published Updated By the CyberSecBulletin desk

CVE-2026-57154 is a high-severity improper neutralization of special elements in output used by a downstream component vulnerability in core from Opnsense, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.1 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 core versions: < 26.1.11. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.46% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.

Next patch cycle

High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.

What to do

  1. Check which version of core you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
  2. Read the advisory on github.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
Opnsensecore< 26.1.11Not stated

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
NoneNo data is disclosed.
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:N/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (github.com).

Official description

OPNsense is a FreeBSD based firewall and routing platform. Prior to 26.1.11 and 26.4.1p1, authenticated Web UI or API users with delegated access to affected settings can submit CR or LF characters in fields expected to contain one line, causing generated privileged service configuration files to contain additional attacker-controlled directives or policy lines. The confirmed Dnsmasq path includes dhcp_boot.filename, dhcp_boot.servername, dhcp_boot.address, and dhcp_options.value, which are rendered into /usr/local/etc/dnsmasq.conf; access through page-services-dnsforwarder covers api/dnsmasq/*. Related affected fields span OpenVPN, DHCPv6, Unbound, IPsec, NTP, PPP or MPD, Monit, firewall, sudo, WebGUI, and System General configuration. Applying or restarting the affected service can alter behavior beyond the delegated setting, create service-side files, cross RBAC boundaries, or cause denial of service. Line injection through Monit mail password and adjacent Monit text fields into /usr/local/etc/monitrc demonstrated root command execution. Arbitrary shell command execution was not confirmed for the Dnsmasq path. This issue is fixed in versions 26.1.11 and 26.4.1p1.

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component

The product constructs all or part of a command, data structure, or record using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify how it is parsed or interpreted when it is sent to a downstream component.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • Programming languages and supporting technologies might be chosen which are not subject to these issues.
  • Utilize an appropriate mix of allowlist and denylist parsing to filter control-plane syntax from all input.

More Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component vulnerabilities (CWE-74)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: poc, automatable: no, technical impact: partial).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Other vulnerabilities in core

All core vulnerabilities

Recent Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component vulnerabilities

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