CVE-2026-45255
Published:May 21, 2026
Updated:June 11, 2026
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.
Affected Packages
https://github.com/freebsd/freebsd-src.git (GITHUB):
Affected version(s) >=release/14.4.0 <release/14.4.0-p6Fix Suggestion:
Update to version release/14.4.0-p6https://github.com/freebsd/freebsd-src.git (GITHUB):
Affected version(s) >=release/15.0.0 <release/15.0.0-p10Fix Suggestion:
Update to version release/15.0.0-p10https://github.com/freebsd/freebsd-src.git (GITHUB):
Affected version(s) >=release/14.3.0 <release/14.3.0-p15Fix Suggestion:
Update to version release/14.3.0-p15Related Resources (1)
Do you need more information?
Contact UsCVSS v4
Base Score:
7.7
Attack Vector
ADJACENT
Attack Complexity
HIGH
Attack Requirements
NONE
Privileges Required
NONE
User Interaction
NONE
Vulnerable System Confidentiality
HIGH
Vulnerable System Integrity
HIGH
Vulnerable System Availability
HIGH
Subsequent System Confidentiality
NONE
Subsequent System Integrity
NONE
Subsequent System Availability
NONE
CVSS v3
Base Score:
7.5
Attack Vector
ADJACENT
Attack Complexity
HIGH
Privileges Required
NONE
User Interaction
NONE
Scope
UNCHANGED
Confidentiality
HIGH
Integrity
HIGH
Availability
HIGH
Weakness Type (CWE)
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')
EPSS
Base Score:
0.01