CVE-2026-45255
May 21, 2026, 7 p.m.
7.5
High
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.
Product(s) Impacted
| Vendor | Product | Versions |
|---|---|---|
| Freebsd |
|
|
Weaknesses
Common security weaknesses mapped to this vulnerability.
CWE-78
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')
The product constructs all or part of an OS command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended OS command when it is sent to a downstream component.
*CPE(s)
Affected systems and software identified for this CVE.
| Type | Vendor | Product | Version | Update | Edition | Language | Software Edition | Target Software | Target Hardware | Other Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| o | freebsd | freebsd | 14.3 | - | / | / | / | / | / | / |
| o | freebsd | freebsd | 14.3 | p1 | / | / | / | / | / | / |
| o | freebsd | freebsd | 14.3 | p10 | / | / | / | / | / | / |
| o | freebsd | freebsd | 14.3 | p11 | / | / | / | / | / | / |
| o | freebsd | freebsd | 14.3 | p12 | / | / | / | / | / | / |
| o | freebsd | freebsd | 14.3 | p13 | / | / | / | / | / | / |
| o | freebsd | freebsd | 14.3 | p2 | / | / | / | / | / | / |
| o | freebsd | freebsd | 14.3 | p3 | / | / | / | / | / | / |
| o | freebsd | freebsd | 14.3 | p4 | / | / | / | / | / | / |
| o | freebsd | freebsd | 14.3 | p5 | / | / | / | / | / | / |
| o | freebsd | freebsd | 14.3 | p6 | / | / | / | / | / | / |
| o | freebsd | freebsd | 14.3 | p7 | / | / | / | / | / | / |
| o | freebsd | freebsd | 14.3 | p8 | / | / | / | / | / | / |
| o | freebsd | freebsd | 14.3 | p9 | / | / | / | / | / | / |
| o | freebsd | freebsd | 14.4 | - | / | / | / | / | / | / |
| o | freebsd | freebsd | 14.4 | p1 | / | / | / | / | / | / |
| o | freebsd | freebsd | 14.4 | p2 | / | / | / | / | / | / |
| o | freebsd | freebsd | 14.4 | p3 | / | / | / | / | / | / |
| o | freebsd | freebsd | 14.4 | p4 | / | / | / | / | / | / |
| o | freebsd | freebsd | 14.4 | rc1 | / | / | / | / | / | / |
| o | freebsd | freebsd | 15.0 | - | / | / | / | / | / | / |
| o | freebsd | freebsd | 15.0 | p1 | / | / | / | / | / | / |
| o | freebsd | freebsd | 15.0 | p2 | / | / | / | / | / | / |
| o | freebsd | freebsd | 15.0 | p3 | / | / | / | / | / | / |
| o | freebsd | freebsd | 15.0 | p4 | / | / | / | / | / | / |
| o | freebsd | freebsd | 15.0 | p5 | / | / | / | / | / | / |
| o | freebsd | freebsd | 15.0 | p6 | / | / | / | / | / | / |
| o | freebsd | freebsd | 15.0 | p7 | / | / | / | / | / | / |
| o | freebsd | freebsd | 15.0 | p8 | / | / | / | / | / | / |
Tags
CVSS Score
CVSS Data - 3.1
- Attack Vector: ADJACENT_NETWORK
- Attack Complexity: HIGH
- Privileges Required: NONE
- Scope: UNCHANGED
- Confidentiality Impact: HIGH
- Integrity Impact: HIGH
- Availability Impact: HIGH
CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Timeline
Published: May 21, 2026, 10:16 a.m.
Last Modified: May 21, 2026, 7 p.m.
Last Modified: May 21, 2026, 7 p.m.
Status : Analyzed
CVE has been recently published to the CVE List and has been received by the NVD.
More infoSource
*Disclaimer: Some vulnerabilities do not have an associated CPE. To enhance the data, we use AI to infer CPEs based on CVE details. This is an automated process and might not always be accurate.