How severe is CVE-2018-16055?

CVE-2018-16055 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2018-16055 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 11% (96th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2018-16055?

CVE-2018-16055 affects Netgate Pfsense. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2018-16055?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2018-16055 published?

CVE-2018-16055 was published on 2018-09-26 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2018-16055

CVE-2018-16055 is a high-severity vulnerability in Netgate Pfsense with a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 11% places it in the 96th percentile, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-78.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 8.8)
CVSS v2: 9.0
EPSS exploit prediction: 11% (96th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-78
Affected product: Netgate Pfsense
Published: 2018-09-26
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

An authenticated command injection vulnerability exists in status_interfaces.php via dhcp_relinquish_lease() in pfSense before 2.4.4 due to its passing user input from the $_POST parameters "ifdescr" and "ipv" to a shell without escaping the contents of the variables. This allows an authenticated WebGUI user with privileges for the affected page to execute commands in the context of the root user when submitting a request to relinquish a DHCP lease for an interface which is configured to obtain its address via DHCP.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2018-16055?: An authenticated command injection vulnerability exists in status_interfaces.php via dhcp_relinquish_lease() in pfSense before 2.4.4 due to its passing user input from the $_POST parameters "ifdescr" and "ipv" to a shell without escaping the contents of the variables. This allows an authenticated WebGUI user with privileges for the affected page to execute commands in the context of the root user when submitting a request to relinquish a DHCP lease for an interface which is configured to obtain its address via DHCP.
How severe is CVE-2018-16055?: CVE-2018-16055 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2018-16055 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 11% (96th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2018-16055?: CVE-2018-16055 affects Netgate Pfsense. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2018-16055?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2018-16055 published?: CVE-2018-16055 was published on 2018-09-26 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:netgate:pfsense:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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