How severe is CVE-2019-16701?

CVE-2019-16701 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-2019-16701 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 20% (97th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2019-16701?

CVE-2019-16701 primarily affects Netgate Pfsense. In total, 5 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2019-16701?

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-2019-16701 published?

CVE-2019-16701 was published on 2019-09-25 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2019-16701

CVE-2019-16701 is a high-severity vulnerability in Netgate Pfsense with a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 20% places it in the 97th 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: 20% (97th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-78
Affected product: Netgate Pfsense
Published: 2019-09-25
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

pfSense through 2.3.4 through 2.4.4-p3 allows Remote Code Injection via a methodCall XML document with a pfsense.exec_php call containing shell metacharacters in a parameter value.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2019-16701?: pfSense through 2.3.4 through 2.4.4-p3 allows Remote Code Injection via a methodCall XML document with a pfsense.exec_php call containing shell metacharacters in a parameter value.
How severe is CVE-2019-16701?: CVE-2019-16701 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-2019-16701 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 20% (97th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2019-16701?: CVE-2019-16701 primarily affects Netgate Pfsense. In total, 5 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2019-16701?: 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-2019-16701 published?: CVE-2019-16701 was published on 2019-09-25 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (5)

cpe:2.3:a:netgate:pfsense:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:netgate:pfsense:2.4.4:-:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:netgate:pfsense:2.4.4:p1:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:netgate:pfsense:2.4.4:p2:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:netgate:pfsense:2.4.4:p3:*:*:*:*:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Netgate Pfsense

CVE-2019-16915 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): An issue was discovered in pfSense through 2.4.4-p3. widgets/widgets/picture.widget.php uses the widgetkey parameter…
CVE-2019-12585 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): Apcupsd 0.3.91_5, as used in pfSense through 2.4.4-RELEASE-p3 and other products, has an Arbitrary Command Execution…
CVE-2020-21487 — Critical (CVSS 9.6): Cross Site Scripting vulnerability found in Netgate pfSense 2.4.4 and ACME package v.0.6.3 allows attackers to execute…
CVE-2023-48123 — High (CVSS 8.8): An issue in Netgate pfSense Plus v.23.05.1 and before and pfSense CE v.2.7.0 allows a remote attacker to execute…
CVE-2023-42326 — High (CVSS 8.8): An issue in Netgate pfSense v.2.7.0 allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code via a crafted request to the…
CVE-2023-27253 — High (CVSS 8.8): A command injection vulnerability in the function restore_rrddata() of Netgate pfSense v2.7.0 allows authenticated…

All CVEs affecting Netgate Pfsense →

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