CVE-2022-40624Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Unauthenticated root command execution via Host header

Published Dec 20, 2022 · Updated Apr 17, 2025

OS command injection in pfSense pfBlockerNG through 2.1.4_27 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands as root via HTTP. In pfblockerng/www/index.php, the TLD Block query inserts the Host-derived d_query value without escaping into a grep command passed to PHP exec(). Unauthenticated access to the pfSense web console is sufficient, granting full root-level command execution on the firewall.

CVSS severity9.8
Critical
EPSS probability17.11%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

OS command injection in pfSense pfBlockerNG through 2.1.4_27 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands as root via HTTP. In pfblockerng/www/index.php, the TLD Block query inserts the Host-derived d_query value without escaping into a grep command passed to PHP exec(). Unauthenticated access to the pfSense web console is sufficient, granting full root-level command execution on the firewall.

The record

CVE
CVE-2022-40624
Published
Dec 20, 2022
Updated
Apr 17, 2025
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-78, T1059.004
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Dec 20, 2022CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Apr 17, 2025Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Affected buildAffected product and version details are unavailable.

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

9.8NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

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No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-78Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')
T1059.004Unix Shell

Public exploit references

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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