---
id: CVE-2026-111231
title: >-
  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' privileg…
summary: >-
  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' privileg…
severity: high
cvss: 7.2
cvssVector: 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'
cwe:
  - CWE-863
vendor: Netgate
product: pfSense CE
affected:
  - pfsense_ce <= 2.9.0
published: '2026-10-15'
updated: '2026-10-15'
sourceUpdated: '2026-10-15T19:17:36.110'
source: NVD
sourceUrl: 'https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-111231'
references:
  - url: 'https://abraxaslabs.tech/research/pfsense-ce-leftovers'
    label: disclosure@vulncheck.com
  - url: 'https://github.com/abraxas/pfsense-config-readonly-restore'
    label: disclosure@vulncheck.com
  - url: >-
      https://github.com/pfsense/pfsense/blob/9363ac5b8651a1c7a333180425ce7719070f95f9/src/etc/inc/config.lib.inc#L588-L597
    label: disclosure@vulncheck.com
  - url: >-
      https://github.com/pfsense/pfsense/blob/9363ac5b8651a1c7a333180425ce7719070f95f9/src/etc/inc/config.lib.inc#L743-L798
    label: disclosure@vulncheck.com
  - url: >-
      https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/netgate-pfsense-ce-through-2.9.0-authorization-bypass-via-config-restore-and-config-install
    label: disclosure@vulncheck.com
tags:
  - nvd
  - cve.org
ingestedAt: '2026-10-15T19:25:46.431Z'
---

## Overview

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.

## Remediation

Refer to the linked advisories for vendor-supplied fixes and affected version ranges.