Fireware OS: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command
CVE-2026-90465 is a critical-severity improper neutralization of special elements used in a command vulnerability in Fireware OS from WatchGuard, with a CVSS 4.0 base score of 9.4 out of 10. It can be exploited from the same local network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. The record lists versions 2026.4, 12.12.4, 12.5.22 as the first without the flaw, so updating Fireware OS to one of those releases or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.24% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Update Fireware OS to 2026.4 or 12.12.4 or 12.5.22, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Read the advisory on psirt.watchguard.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| WatchGuard | Fireware OS | 2025.1 up to, but not including, 2026.4; 12.0 up to, but not including, 12.12.4; 12.0 up to, but not including, 12.5.22 | 2026.4, 12.12.4, 12.5.22 |
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
- AdjacentThe attacker must be on the same local network segment.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Attack requirements
- NoneThe attack does not depend on a particular deployment or configuration.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Confidentiality (vulnerable system)
- HighSerious loss of confidentiality on the vulnerable system.
- Integrity (vulnerable system)
- HighSerious loss of integrity on the vulnerable system.
- Availability (vulnerable system)
- HighSerious loss of availability on the vulnerable system.
- Confidentiality (other systems)
- HighSerious loss of confidentiality on systems beyond the vulnerable one.
- Integrity (other systems)
- HighSerious loss of integrity on systems beyond the vulnerable one.
- Availability (other systems)
- HighSerious loss of availability on systems beyond the vulnerable one.
Vector: CVSS:4.0/AV:A/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:H/SI:H/SA:H/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X. Scored by CNA.
Official description
A missing authentication vulnerability in the FireCluster Sync processing allows an attacker positioned on the cluster interconnect, such as a compromised cluster peer or an on-path network attacker, to invoke privileged firewall management actions as root by sending a specially crafted request.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command
The product constructs all or part of a command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended command when it is sent to a downstream component.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- If at all possible, use library calls rather than external processes to recreate the desired functionality.
- If possible, ensure that all external commands called from the program are statically created.
- Run time: Run time policy enforcement may be used in an allowlist fashion to prevent use of any non-sanctioned commands.
More Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command vulnerabilities (CWE-77)
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
Other vulnerabilities in Fireware OS
- 9.2 Critical severity
- 9.2 Critical severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 9.2 Critical severity
- 8.7 High severity
Recent Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command vulnerabilities
- 7.3 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 9.6 Critical severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
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