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Vulnerabilities

Vulnerability · CVE-2026-45255

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.

Published May 21, 2026 · catalog updated Jul 23, 2026 · freebsd freebsd

Severity
High7.5
Known exploitation
Not in CISA/VulnCheck KEV
EPSS
0.3%
Remediation
Advisory link
Affected products
cpe freebsd/freebsd

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.

Technical analysis

Mechanism and impact are interpreted from ingested advisories — not independent exploit research.

  • CWE classification

    OS Command Injection

  • Prerequisites and impact

    Follow the original vendor advisory for access prerequisites and impact. This catalog does not invent exploit conditions.

How to fix CVE-2026-45255

Grounded briefings

Catalog interpretations for three audiences. Each brief cites ingested metadata and the original advisories below. They are not independent research and they do not invent exploit steps.

Executive

CVE-2026-45255 is a high public vulnerability record for freebsd freebsd. It is not currently listed in the CISA Known Exploited catalog. Check the linked vendor or CERT advisories for patch status. This summary is a catalog interpretation of the ingested metadata and cites the original advisories below.

System administrator

Identify whether freebsd freebsd is in your estate, then compare installed versions with the affected ranges. Affected packages or ranges on record: freebsd/freebsd (14.3). Check the linked vendor or CERT advisories for patch status. Prefer the vendor or distribution advisory linked in Sources before changing production systems. This is a catalog interpretation, not a runbook.

Security analyst

Signals on file: CVSS 7.5 (technical impact); EPSS 0.3% (30-day exploitation probability). It is not currently listed in the CISA Known Exploited catalog. Weakness classes: CWE-78. Sources contributing to this record: cve_org, epss, nvd. Public exploit references, when present, are outbound links only and are not proof of active exploitation. This is a catalog interpretation of stored metadata.

Related intelligence

  • Exploitation evidence

    Not listed as known exploited in CISA KEV. Not in CISA KEV or VulnCheck KEV.

  • Safe detection guidance

    Compare installed versions with the affected ranges below and verify the advisory from the original publisher. This site stores metadata and outbound links only; it does not ship exploit code or proof-of-concept payloads.

Code

The project this record applies to. Exploit listings stay in References.

No public source repository is identified for this product.

Timeline

Detection, updates, and resolution for this record.

  1. May 21, 2026 · NIST NVD

    Detected

    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 subshel

  2. Jul 23, 2026 · NIST NVD

    Updated

    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 subshel

Affected versions

Enter an installed version to get a verified affected / not-affected result against the ranges below.

  • cpe freebsd/freebsd14.3

Sources

  • CVE.orgVulnerability recordCVE-2026-45255

    Official CVE identifier

    cve.org
  • FIRST EPSSExploitation probabilityCVE-2026-45255

    30-day exploitation probability 0.3%

    first.org
  • NIST NVDVulnerability recordCVE-2026-45255

    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 p

    nvd.nist.gov

References

Freshness

Last verified in this catalog Oct 18, 2026. Significant claims (KEV, EPSS, CVSS, affected ranges) come from the source rows above — open the original publisher for the authoritative advisory.