CVE-2026-44194: CWE-78: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection') in opnsense core
A critical OS command injection vulnerability (CVE-2026-44194) exists in OPNsense core versions prior to 26. 1. 8. It allows an authenticated user with user-management privileges to execute arbitrary system commands as root by bypassing input validation through specially crafted email address input. The flaw is located in the local user synchronization script sync_user. php. This vulnerability is fixed in version 26. 1. 8.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
CVE-2026-44194 is an OS command injection vulnerability in the OPNsense core firewall and routing platform. The vulnerability arises from improper neutralization of special elements in user input during the local user synchronization process, specifically in core/src/opnsense/scripts/auth/sync_user.php. An attacker with user-management privileges can craft a malicious payload formatted as a valid email address to bypass input validation and execute arbitrary system commands with root privileges. This flaw affects all OPNsense core versions before 26.1.8 and has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.1, indicating critical severity. The issue is resolved in version 26.1.8.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation allows an authenticated user with user-management privileges to execute arbitrary commands as root on the OPNsense system. This can lead to full system compromise, including confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts. The vulnerability affects all versions prior to 26.1.8. There are no known exploits in the wild as of the published date.
Mitigation Recommendations
Upgrade OPNsense core to version 26.1.8 or later, where this vulnerability is fixed. Since the vulnerability requires user-management privileges, restricting access to trusted administrators can reduce risk until patching is performed. Patch status is confirmed fixed in 26.1.8; no other remediation details are provided.
CVE-2026-44194: CWE-78: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection') in opnsense core
Description
A critical OS command injection vulnerability (CVE-2026-44194) exists in OPNsense core versions prior to 26. 1. 8. It allows an authenticated user with user-management privileges to execute arbitrary system commands as root by bypassing input validation through specially crafted email address input. The flaw is located in the local user synchronization script sync_user. php. This vulnerability is fixed in version 26. 1. 8.
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
CVE-2026-44194 is an OS command injection vulnerability in the OPNsense core firewall and routing platform. The vulnerability arises from improper neutralization of special elements in user input during the local user synchronization process, specifically in core/src/opnsense/scripts/auth/sync_user.php. An attacker with user-management privileges can craft a malicious payload formatted as a valid email address to bypass input validation and execute arbitrary system commands with root privileges. This flaw affects all OPNsense core versions before 26.1.8 and has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.1, indicating critical severity. The issue is resolved in version 26.1.8.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation allows an authenticated user with user-management privileges to execute arbitrary commands as root on the OPNsense system. This can lead to full system compromise, including confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts. The vulnerability affects all versions prior to 26.1.8. There are no known exploits in the wild as of the published date.
Mitigation Recommendations
Upgrade OPNsense core to version 26.1.8 or later, where this vulnerability is fixed. Since the vulnerability requires user-management privileges, restricting access to trusted administrators can reduce risk until patching is performed. Patch status is confirmed fixed in 26.1.8; no other remediation details are provided.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- GitHub_M
- Date Reserved
- 2026-05-05T15:13:47.570Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- null
Threat ID: 6a052a70cbff5d86103e0d7c
Added to database: 5/14/2026, 1:50:40 AM
Last enriched: 5/14/2026, 1:51:29 AM
Last updated: 5/14/2026, 4:03:27 AM
Views: 8
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