CVE-2026-45255 Remote code execution via installer Wi-Fi access point scans
Attackers can execute arbitrary commands as root by broadcasting a malicious Wi-Fi network name during FreeBSD installer scans.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Not needed
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- None listed
What is CVE-2026-45255?
CVE-2026-45255 is a high-severity command injection vulnerability in Freebsd Freebsd, published on 21 May 2026. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.
Official description
When bsdinstall or bsdconfig are prompted to scan for nearby Wi-Fi networks, they build up a list of network names and use bsddialog(1) to prompt the user to select a network. This is implemented using a shell script, and the code which handled network names was not careful to prevent expansion by the shell. As a result, a suitably crafted network name can be used to execute commands via a subshell.
The problem can be exploited to execute code as root on the system running bsdinstall or bsdconfig. The attacker would need to create an access point with a specially crafted name and be within range of a Wi-Fi scan. Note that bsdinstall and bsdconfig are vulnerable as soon as the user prompts them to scan for nearby networks; they do not need to actually select the malicious network.
Weakness: CWE-78
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-45255?
It affects 1 product.
Products include Freebsd Freebsd.
How do I fix CVE-2026-45255?
No fix has been published for CVE-2026-45255 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.
Upgrade, and pass arguments to programs as a list instead of through a shell. More about Command injection.
Is CVE-2026-45255 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-45255 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Other vulnerabilities in Freebsd Freebsd
Sources
Also known as GHSA-qj4f-cpgw-vqx9.