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.

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History

Thu, 21 May 2026 15:30:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 7.5, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}

ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}


Thu, 21 May 2026 11:45:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Freebsd
Freebsd freebsd
Vendors & Products Freebsd
Freebsd freebsd

Thu, 21 May 2026 10:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description 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.
Title Remote code execution via installer Wi-Fi access point scans
Weaknesses CWE-78
References

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cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: freebsd

Published:

Updated: 2026-05-21T14:27:28.705Z

Reserved: 2026-05-11T16:27:44.891Z

Link: CVE-2026-45255

cve-icon Vulnrichment

Updated: 2026-05-21T13:30:39.255Z

cve-icon NVD

Status : Undergoing Analysis

Published: 2026-05-21T10:16:26.497

Modified: 2026-05-21T15:16:28.433

Link: CVE-2026-45255

cve-icon Redhat

No data.

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

Updated: 2026-05-21T11:30:06Z

Weaknesses