# CVE-2026-97730: Netgate pfSense local file inclusion in Dashboard widget

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-97730-in-netgate-pfsense-plus-before-26-07-and-pfsense-ce-before-2-9-0  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-09-25. Updated: 2026-09-26  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-97730 · Severity: high · CVSS 8.5 · Published 2026-09-25

pfSense is a network firewall that protects corporate networks by filtering traffic. A vulnerability in the web-based dashboard allows authenticated administrators with file-write privileges to execute arbitrary PHP code by manipulating widget configuration settings, potentially compromising the firewall and all traffic it protects.

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

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-97730 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-97730 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-97730?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 8.5, published 25 September 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Netgate Pfsense Ce before 2.9.0; Netgate Pfsense Plus before 26.07.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-97730?** A patch was published on 2026-07-14: Fix committed to pfSense Plus 26.07 and pfSense CE 2.9.0 Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-97730 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a network appliance.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-97730?** Check whether you run Netgate Pfsense Ce or Netgate Pfsense Plus 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 Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability exists in Dashboard (index.php) widget sequence handling that fails to validate path traversal payloads. An authenticated attacker with dashboard modification privileges and ability to write files to /tmp can submit a crafted widget sequence containing a path traversal (e.g., ../../../../../../../tmp/test) that causes the Dashboard to read and execute arbitrary PHP code from the attacker-controlled file.

## Affected products

- Netgate pfSense Plus before 26.07
- Netgate pfSense CE before 2.9.0

## Timeline

- 2026-08-13: disclosed: Security advisory published
- 2026-07-14: patched: Fix committed to pfSense Plus 26.07 and pfSense CE 2.9.0

## References

- [https://docs.netgate.com/downloads/pfSense-SA-26_18.webgui.asc](https://docs.netgate.com/downloads/pfSense-SA-26_18.webgui.asc)
- [https://docs.netgate.com/pfsense/en/latest/install/upgrade-guide.html](https://docs.netgate.com/pfsense/en/latest/install/upgrade-guide.html)

## 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)