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Introduction:
In the ever-evolving cybersecurity landscape, even trusted systems
Three High-Risk Flaws Threaten pfSense Firewall Security (30-line digest):
Security experts have revealed three major vulnerabilities affecting pfSense, a popular open-source firewall and routing platform. These vulnerabilities, tagged CVE-2024-57273, CVE-2024-54780, and CVE-2024-54779, target pfSense CE versions prior to 2.8.0 beta and certain Plus builds.
The first flaw, CVE-2024-57273, compromises pfSenseās Automatic Configuration Backup (ACB) service. It derives API keys from a publicly accessible SSH key. If attackers can retrieve this public key (located in /etc/ssh/ssh_host_ed25519_key.pub), they can reverse-engineer the API key. This gives them access to Netgateās ACB cloud backup endpoints, allowing deletion of backups, exfiltration of data, and injection of malicious JavaScript. This could ultimately result in remote code execution (RCE) through stored XSS if an administrator unknowingly triggers the script in the dashboard.
The second vulnerability, CVE-2024-54780, resides in the OpenVPN management widget. It permits command injection via unsanitized user input in the remipp parameter. An attacker can use encoded newline characters to manipulate the VPN serverās behavior, potentially disrupting or hijacking VPN sessions. While it doesnāt allow full shell command execution, it provides significant unauthorized control over OpenVPN state.
The third flaw, CVE-2024-54779, affects pfSenseās dashboard widgets. It involves XML injection through the widgetkey parameter, which stores configuration settings. Poor input sanitization can corrupt the systemās core configuration file (/cf/conf/config.xml). This can lead to denial of service or persistent XSS attacks. Malicious XML entries can break boot processes or silently inject JavaScript into widgets, putting administrator sessions in jeopardy.
Netgate, the maintainers of pfSense, has acknowledged the disclosures and pushed patches through pfSense 2.8.0 beta and their GitHub master branch. Administrators are advised to update immediately, avoid exposing SSH or the admin dashboard to public networks, and follow Netgate’s bug tracker for mitigation steps.
What Undercode Say:
These findings are a sobering reminder that even open-source solutions, praised for their transparency and flexibility, can harbor hidden dangers. The issues unearthed in pfSense are particularly impactful because they target core administrative functionalities.
The ACB API key hijack (CVE-2024-57273) illustrates the risks of deriving authentication tokens from predictable or accessible sources. Although the public SSH key is not supposed to be secret, its use in generating sensitive API keys exposes the system to abuse. Once compromised, an attacker can not only access but poison backups, opening the door to persistent browser-based attacks via XSS. This layered approachāwhere one vulnerability enables anotherāis increasingly common in sophisticated threat campaigns.
The OpenVPN widget flaw (CVE-2024-54780) shows the risks of improper input validation. While the scope is limited to VPN state manipulation and doesnāt allow full system compromise, it could still disrupt remote operations or assist in lateral movement across a network. VPN infrastructure, often trusted implicitly, must be rigorously protected from even authenticated users who could go rogue.
Perhaps the most severe from a stability standpoint is the XML injection vulnerability (CVE-2024-54779). Configuration files are the heart of pfSense’s operation. By injecting malformed XML, attackers can render the firewall inoperable, effectively performing a denial-of-service (DoS) attack without triggering external alarms. More worryingly, injecting JavaScript into widget settings can create a persistent attack surface, allowing malicious scripts to execute every time an admin logs in.
The recurring theme here is insufficient input sanitization, particularly from authenticated users. This suggests a systemic trust in internal users that may no longer be justified in modern, zero-trust network designs. These flaws emphasize the need for regular code audits, especially in critical tools like firewalls and VPNs that serve as a network’s first line of defense.
Organizations using pfSense must not treat this as a theoretical problem. The exploits described here are easily automatable and potentially already circulating in underground forums. Updating pfSense and reviewing internal access policies should be done without delay. In addition, enabling logging and monitoring of unusual dashboard or ACB activity may help detect ongoing compromise attempts.
Netgateās fast response is commendable, but this episode serves as a clear warning: open-source tools must be managed with the same level of rigor as commercial software, especially when they protect vital infrastructure.
Fact Checker Results:
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All three vulnerabilities are confirmed by multiple independent cybersecurity sources
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Netgate has released patches and mitigation steps in pfSense 2.8.0 beta
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The flaws were responsibly disclosed and publicly documented š”ļø
Prediction:
These vulnerabilities will likely spark a deeper audit of similar open-source firewall and VPN tools. As pfSense is widely deployed in both enterprises and small businesses, we can expect an uptick in cyberattacks exploiting outdated versions. Exploits may appear in public repositories or malware kits. Moving forward, expect more developers to shift toward secure key management, strict input validation, and runtime integrity checks. Organizations that delay updates could face serious breaches or operational disruption.
References:
Reported By: cyberpress.org
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