PatchTheCVECVE-2026-44194: OPNsense is a FreeBSD based firewall and routing platform
CVE-2026-44194 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.1) affecting opnsense. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.
OPNsense is a FreeBSD based firewall and routing platform. Prior to 26.1.8, an authenticated Remote Code Execution (RCE) vulnerability in the OPNsense core allows a user with user-management privileges to execute arbitrary system commands as root. An attacker can bypass input validation by formatting their malicious payload as a compliant email address, allowing shell commands to reach the underlying operating system. The flaw exists in the local
Why this priority
- Critical severity
- EPSS top 7%: very likely to be exploited
- Public exploit reference
A fixed release or distro patch exists.
Risk facts
| CVSS score | 9.1 (Critical) |
| Attack vector | Network (remote) |
| Attack complexity | Low |
| Privileges needed | High |
| User interaction | None |
| EPSS exploit chance | 5.7% (top 7%) |
| CISA exploited list | No |
| Weakness | CWE-78 |
| Published | 2026-05-13 |
| Last modified | 2026-10-26 |
Last updated 2026-10-26 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score
Am I affected?
Timeline
- Published CVE record published
- Updated Record last modified
Public exploits and detection
Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.
Quick answers
How do I fix CVE-2026-44194?
opnsense: upgrade to 26.1.8. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.
Is CVE-2026-44194 being exploited?
CVE-2026-44194 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.
What does CVE-2026-44194 affect?
CVE-2026-44194 affects opnsense. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.1). OPNsense is a FreeBSD based firewall and routing platform. Prior to 26.1.8, an authenticated Remote Code Execution (RCE) vulnerability in the OPNsense core allows a user with user-management privileges to execute arbitrary system commands a
How urgent is CVE-2026-44194?
Priority 60/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 7%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference
Software pages
pfSense and OPNsense vulnerabilities
Related CVEs
- CVE-2026-44193 CRITICAL 9.1 UPGRADE OPNsense is a FreeBSD based firewall and routing platform
- CVE-2026-45158 CRITICAL 9.1 UPGRADE OPNsense is a FreeBSD based firewall and routing platform
- CVE-2026-44195 MEDIUM 5.3 UPGRADE OPNsense is a FreeBSD based firewall and routing platform