CVE-2026-97730: CWE-24 Path Traversal: '../filedir' in Netgate pfSense Plus
In Netgate pfSense Plus before 26.07 and pfSense CE before 2.9.0, a Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability in the Dashboard (index.php) widget sequence data handling allows an authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary PHP code. To exploit this, an attacker with privileges to modify Dashboard settings and write arbitrary files to the pfSense firewall system (e.g., /tmp/test.widget.php) can submit a crafted widget sequence value containing a path traversal payload (e.g., ../../../../../../../../../../../tmp/test). The Dashboard will subsequently read and execute the arbitrary PHP file as if it were a standard widget.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
This vulnerability (CWE-24 Path Traversal) exists in the Dashboard (index.php) widget sequence data handling of Netgate pfSense Plus and pfSense CE. An attacker with limited privileges who can modify Dashboard settings and write arbitrary files to the firewall system can exploit a crafted widget sequence value containing a path traversal payload to cause the Dashboard to read and execute arbitrary PHP files as widgets. This allows execution of arbitrary PHP code on the firewall system.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation allows an attacker with low privileges to execute arbitrary PHP code on the pfSense firewall system, resulting in complete compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 8.5 (High), reflecting network attack vector, high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, but requiring low privileges and high attack complexity.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is available, restrict Dashboard settings modification privileges to trusted administrators only and monitor for unauthorized file writes to the system. Do not expose the Dashboard interface to untrusted networks.
CVE-2026-97730: CWE-24 Path Traversal: '../filedir' in Netgate pfSense Plus
Description
In Netgate pfSense Plus before 26.07 and pfSense CE before 2.9.0, a Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability in the Dashboard (index.php) widget sequence data handling allows an authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary PHP code. To exploit this, an attacker with privileges to modify Dashboard settings and write arbitrary files to the pfSense firewall system (e.g., /tmp/test.widget.php) can submit a crafted widget sequence value containing a path traversal payload (e.g., ../../../../../../../../../../../tmp/test). The Dashboard will subsequently read and execute the arbitrary PHP file as if it were a standard widget.
CVSS v3.1
Score 8.5high
Affected software
Netgate
pfSense Plus
Netgate
pfSense CE
pkg:github/netgate/pfsense-pluspkg:github/netgate/pfsense-ceRun on your own infrastructure? Check whether these packages are installed with threat-finder — our free open-source scanner.
Weaknesses
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
This vulnerability (CWE-24 Path Traversal) exists in the Dashboard (index.php) widget sequence data handling of Netgate pfSense Plus and pfSense CE. An attacker with limited privileges who can modify Dashboard settings and write arbitrary files to the firewall system can exploit a crafted widget sequence value containing a path traversal payload to cause the Dashboard to read and execute arbitrary PHP files as widgets. This allows execution of arbitrary PHP code on the firewall system.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation allows an attacker with low privileges to execute arbitrary PHP code on the pfSense firewall system, resulting in complete compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 8.5 (High), reflecting network attack vector, high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, but requiring low privileges and high attack complexity.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is available, restrict Dashboard settings modification privileges to trusted administrators only and monitor for unauthorized file writes to the system. Do not expose the Dashboard interface to untrusted networks.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- mitre
- Date Reserved
- 2026-09-25T02:43:12.840Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
Threat ID: 6ab5e472f7a7c541063e3f8f
Added to database: 09/25/2026, 03:03:14 UTC
Last enriched: 09/25/2026, 03:17:40 UTC
Last updated: 09/25/2026, 04:33:14 UTC
Views: 4
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