# CVE-2026-111228: Netgate pfSense CE CRLF injection in Unbound configuration

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-111228-netgate-pfsense-ce-from-2-7-1-through-2-9-0-contains-a-crlf  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-10-15. Updated: 2026-10-19  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-111228 · Severity: medium · CVSS 5.5 · Published 2026-10-15

pfSense CE is a widely-deployed firewall that uses a web interface for management. This vulnerability allows authenticated DNS administrators to inject malicious directives into the DNS resolver by embedding newline characters in a configuration field. An attacker could override DNS records globally, redirecting all clients' DNS queries to attacker-controlled systems to enable phishing, malware distribution, or network surveillance.

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-2026-111228 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-111228 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-111228?** Medium severity, with a CVSS score of 5.5, published 15 October 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Netgate Pfsense Ce 2.7.1 through 2.9.0.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-111228?** 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-2026-111228 attacked?** It is attacked over the network.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-111228?** 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 CRLF injection vulnerability exists in services_unbound_advanced.php where the sock_queue_timeout parameter is written without sanitization into unbound.conf. Authenticated users holding the "DNS Resolver: Advanced" privilege can embed CR/LF characters to break out of the parameter line and inject arbitrary Unbound directives. The attacker gains the ability to override local DNS records and forwarding rules for all network clients connected to the firewall.

## Affected products

- Netgate pfSense CE 2.7.1 through 2.9.0

## Timeline

- 2026-10-15: disclosed

## References

- [https://github.com/](https://github.com/)
- [https://abraxaslabs.tech/research/pfsense-ce-leftovers](https://abraxaslabs.tech/research/pfsense-ce-leftovers)

## 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)