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CVE Record

CVE-2018-4019: An exploitable command injection vulnerability exists in the way Netgate pfSense CE 2.4.4-RELEASE processes...

An exploitable command injection vulnerability exists in the way Netgate pfSense CE 2.4.4-RELEASE processes the parameters of a specific POST request. The attacker can exploit this and gain the ability to execute arbitrary commands on the system. An attacker needs to be able to send authenticated POST requests to the administration web interface. Command injection is possible in the `powerd_normal_mode` parameter.

HighCVSS 7.2Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2018-4019 affects Netgate pfSense CE 2.4.4-RELEASE. An authenticated administrator could abuse a vulnerable web interface parameter to run arbitrary system commands on the firewall. Business impact is high because firewall compromise can affect network security, traffic control, and system availability.

Executive priority

Treat this as high priority for any remaining pfSense CE 2.4.4-RELEASE firewalls. The access requirement lowers likelihood, but the asset role and potential command execution impact justify prompt inventory, access restriction, and vendor-guided remediation.

Technical view

The vulnerability is command injection in handling of the powerd_normal_mode parameter in a specific authenticated POST request to the pfSense administration web interface. CVSS 3.0 is 7.2 with network attack vector, low complexity, high privileges required, no user interaction, and high CIA impact.

Likely exposure

Exposure is limited to Netgate pfSense CE 2.4.4-RELEASE systems where authenticated users can reach the administration web interface. Risk increases if the admin UI is reachable outside trusted management networks or if privileged credentials are weak, shared, or compromised.

Exploitation context

The provided sources do not show CISA KEV listing or active exploitation evidence. Exploitation requires authenticated high-privilege access, but successful exploitation could allow arbitrary command execution on the pfSense host.

Researcher notes

Key constraint is authenticated administrative web access, reflected by PR:H. The affected parameter named in the source bundle is powerd_normal_mode. Do not assume broader pfSense versions or active exploitation without additional evidence.

Mitigation direction

  • Identify and prioritize any pfSense CE 2.4.4-RELEASE installations.
  • Check Netgate guidance for the fixed version or supported remediation path.
  • Restrict administration web interface access to trusted management networks.
  • Review and reduce privileged pfSense administrator accounts.
  • Enforce strong authentication for all administrative access.

Validation and detection

  • Confirm pfSense edition and exact version on all firewall assets.
  • Verify the administration web interface is not internet-exposed.
  • Review admin account lists for unnecessary privileged users.
  • Check logs for unusual authenticated administrative activity around power settings.
  • Confirm remediation status against Netgate or Talos guidance.
Prepared
Confidence
high
Sources
3

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.

ATT&CK lookup starting points

Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.

description · low confidence lookup

Execution behavior lookup

The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.

Open ATT&CK lookup
cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2018-4019 mapping review

Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
High
CVSS
7.2 (3.0)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

1CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
2Source links

CVSS vector scores

1 official score

We collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.

ScoreVersionSeverityVectorExploitImpactSource
7.2CVSS 3.0HighCVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H1.25.9Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.0 score

7.2High
CVSS 3.0 vector shape for CVE-2018-4019Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Attack Vector
NetworkAdjacentLocalPhysical
Attack Complexity
LowHigh
Privileges Required
NoneLowHigh
User Interaction
NoneRequired
Scope
ChangedUnchanged
Confidentiality Impact
HighLowNone
Integrity Impact
HighLowNone
Availability Impact
HighLowNone

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
NetgateNetgate pfSenseNetgate pfSense CE 2.4.4-RELEASEListed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.