# CVE-2026-111217: Netgate pfSense CE command injection via CARP VHID

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-111217-netgate-pfsense-ce-through-2-9-0-contains-an-os-command  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-10-15. Updated: 2026-10-20  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-111217 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.2 · Published 2026-10-15

pfSense is a firewall appliance used to protect networks and manage traffic. An authenticated administrator with Virtual IP privileges can inject shell commands into the CARP Virtual Host ID field, leading to arbitrary code execution as root. An attacker could gain complete control of the firewall, including access to configuration data and the ability to disrupt network operations.

Technologies: [Netgate Pfsense Ce](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/pfsense-ce), [Pfsense](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/pfsense). Vendors: [Netgate](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/netgate), [Pfsense](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/pfsense).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-111217 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-111217 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-111217?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.2, published 15 October 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Netgate Pfsense Ce through 2.9.0-DEVELOPMENT.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-111217?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-2026-111217 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a network appliance.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-111217?** Check whether you run Netgate Pfsense Ce or Pfsense at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Technical details

A command injection vulnerability exists in the CARP VHID handling within pfSense CE 2.9.0-DEVELOPMENT. The vulnerability arises because the VHID value is stored without validation and later interpolated without proper escaping in shell commands executed via interface_ipalias_configure() (ifconfig calls) and get_carp_interface_status() (grep pipeline). An authenticated attacker with Virtual IP edit privileges can supply a VHID containing shell metacharacters such as command substitution syntax, which executes when a stacked IP alias is applied or when CARP status is rendered.

## Affected products

- Netgate pfSense CE through 2.9.0-DEVELOPMENT

## Timeline

- 2026-10-15: disclosed
- 2026-10-13: advisory

## References

- [https://github.com/](https://github.com/)
- [https://abraxaslabs.tech/research/pfsense-carp-vhid](https://abraxaslabs.tech/research/pfsense-carp-vhid)

## Related threats

- [Netgate pfSense CE reflected XSS in firewall_rules.php](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-111233-netgate-pfsense-ce-2-7-1-through-2-9-0-contains-a-reflected)
- [Netgate pfSense CE stored cross-site scripting in firewall rules](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-111232-netgate-pfsense-ce-2-3-0-through-2-9-0-contains-a-stored-cross)
- [Netgate pfSense CE authorization bypass in config restore](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-111231-netgate-pfsense-ce-through-2-9-0-contains-an-authorization)
- [Netgate pfSense CE local file read via Dynamic DNS](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-111230-netgate-pfsense-ce-through-2-9-0-contains-a-local-file-read)
- [pfSense CE command injection in captive portal HA sync](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-111229-pfsense-ce-2-7-0-through-2-9-0-contains-a-command-injection)