Netgate pfSense up to 2.9.0 OpenVPN openvpn.connect_async.sh username os command injection

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability described as very critical has been identified in Netgate pfSense up to 2.9.0. This impacts an unknown function of the file openvpn.connect_async.sh of the component OpenVPN. Executing a manipulation of the argument Username can lead to os command injection. This vulnerability is registered as CVE-2026-111224. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. No exploit is available.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability has been found in Netgate pfSense up to 2.9.0 and classified as very critical. This vulnerability affects an unknown code block of the file openvpn.connect_async.sh of the component OpenVPN. The manipulation of the argument username with an unknown input leads to a os command injection vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-78. The product constructs all or part of an OS command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended OS command when it is sent to a downstream component. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

pfSense CE through 2.9.0 contains an OS command injection vulnerability in the OpenVPN openvpn.connect_async.sh script that allows authenticated VPN users to execute commands as root via crafted usernames. Attackers authenticated through RADIUS or LDAP can use usernames containing single quotes and shell metacharacters to break out of the eval'd pfctl anchor name on connect or disconnect.

The advisory is shared for download at github.com. This vulnerability was named CVE-2026-111224 since 10/15/2026. The exploitation appears to be easy. The attack can be initiated remotely. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available. The current price for an exploit might be approx. USD $0-$5k (estimation calculated on 10/15/2026). The MITRE ATT&CK project declares the attack technique as T1202.

There is no information about possible countermeasures known. It may be suggested to replace the affected object with an alternative product.

VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

Productinfo

Type

• Firewall Software

Vendor

• Netgate

Name

• pfSense

Version

• 2.0
• 2.1
• 2.2
• 2.3
• 2.4
• 2.5
• 2.6
• 2.7
• 2.8
• 2.9.0

License

• open-source

CPE 2.3info

• 🔒
• 🔒
• 🔒

CPE 2.2info

• 🔒
• 🔒
• 🔒

CVSSv4info

CVSSv3info

CVSSv2info

Exploitinginfo

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Countermeasuresinfo

Timelineinfo

Sourcesinfo

Entryinfo

VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

Discussion