---
id: CVE-2026-113779
title: >-
  pfSense REST API package Vulnerable to Privilege Escalation via Scoped HA
  Settings Sync Permission
summary: >-
  The pfSense REST API package is an unofficial, open-source REST and GraphQL
  API for pfSense CE and pfSense Plus firewalls. A privilege escalation
  vulnerability in pfSense-pkg-RESTAPI prior to version 2.9.0 allows
  authenticated accounts h…
severity: high
cvss: 8.8
cvssVector: 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'
cvssSource: cna
cwe:
  - CWE-502
vendor: pfrest
product: pfSense-pkg-RESTAPI
affected:
  - pfSense-pkg-RESTAPI < 2.9.0
ssvc:
  exploitation: none
  automatable: 'no'
  technicalImpact: total
  timestamp: '2026-10-21T15:06:37.954691Z'
published: '2026-10-21'
updated: '2026-10-21'
sourceUpdated: '2026-10-21T15:47:43.969Z'
source: CVEORG
sourceUrl: 'https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-113779'
references:
  - url: >-
      https://github.com/pfrest/pfSense-pkg-RESTAPI/security/advisories/GHSA-8q8g-9f77-8g8g
    label: >-
      https://github.com/pfrest/pfSense-pkg-RESTAPI/security/advisories/GHSA-8q8g-9f77-8g8g
  - url: 'https://github.com/pfrest/pfSense-pkg-RESTAPI/releases/tag/v2.9.0'
    label: 'https://github.com/pfrest/pfSense-pkg-RESTAPI/releases/tag/v2.9.0'
tags:
  - cve.org
ingestedAt: '2026-10-21T15:02:42.103Z'
---

## Overview

The pfSense REST API package is an unofficial, open-source REST and GraphQL API for pfSense CE and pfSense Plus firewalls. A privilege escalation vulnerability in pfSense-pkg-RESTAPI prior to version 2.9.0 allows authenticated accounts holding the dedicated settings sync permission to modify REST API configuration secrets. This enables a non-administrative user to elevate their privileges to a full administrator. pfSense-pkg-RESTAPI 2.9.0 patches the issue. Access to the HA settings sync endpoint now strictly requires full administrative privileges (`page-all`). The sub-administrative sync privilege has been removed in versions v2.9.0 and later. In addition to correcting the access control boundary, version 2.9.0 includes the following hardening measures: opt-in default and format and validation modernization. As a workaround, one may mitigate exposure by taking either or all of the following steps. Revoke Scoped Permissions: Remove the `api-v2-system-restapi-settings-sync-post` privilege from all non-administrative users. Apply ACLs: Configure REST API Access Control Lists (ACLs) and/or firewall rules to restrict access to API endpoints exclusively to trusted administrator and HA peer IP addresses.

## Affected

- `pfSense-pkg-RESTAPI < 2.9.0`

## Remediation

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