CVE-2025-12490: netgate pfsense Path Traversal

Vulnerability summary

CVE-2025-12490 is a high (CVSS 8.8) Path Traversal vulnerability in netgate pfsense. EPSS estimates a 16.95% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 97% of scored vulnerabilities.

Timeline

1. 06-11-2025
   PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
2. 06-11-2025
   Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.

Description

Netgate pfSense CE Suricata Path Traversal Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to create arbitrary files on affected installations of Netgate pfSense. Authentication is required to exploit this vulnerability. The specific flaw exists within the Suricata package. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of a user-supplied path prior to using it in file operations. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to create files in the context of root. Was ZDI-CAN-28085.

• CWE-22Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')The product uses external input to construct a pathname that is intended to identify a file or directory that is located underneath a restricted parent directory, but the product does not properly neutralize special elements within the pathname that can cause the pathname to resolve to a location that is outside of the restricted directory.