CVE-2026-26978: Free PBX backup: Deserialization of Untrusted Data in admin/modules/backup/Models/BackupSplFileInfo.php

Published May 18, 2026
·
Updated

FreePBX is an open source IP PBX. In versions below 16.0.71 and 17.0.6, the backup module does not properly sanitize data during restore operations, potentially leading to compromise if the backup contains carefully crafted hostile data. During backup restore operations, FreePBX extracts selected files from a user-supplied tar archive. If a malicious file exists in the archive, it is read and passed directly to unserialize() without validation, class restrictions, or integrity checks. This issue allows Remote Code Execution during restoration of the backup as the web server user (typically asterisk or www-data). The attack does not require shell access, CLI access, or filesystem write permissions beyond the normal restore workflow. Authentication with a known username that has sufficient access permissions and/or write access to backup files is required. This issue has been fixed in versions 16.0.71 and 17.0.6.

Affected Software

1 affected component
FreePBX FreePBX<16.0.71, <17.0.6

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

  1. Upgrade

    Upgrade FreePBX to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 16.0.71
  2. Upgrade

    Upgrade FreePBX to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 17.0.6

Event History

May 18, 2026
CVE Published
via MITRE·08:49 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·08:49 PM
DescriptionWeakness
Data Sourced
via NVD·09:16 PM
DescriptionSeverityWeakness
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Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2026-26978?

CVE-2026-26978 has a medium severity rating due to the potential for data compromise during the restoration of backups.

2

How do I fix CVE-2026-26978?

To fix CVE-2026-26978, upgrade to FreePBX version 16.0.71 or higher, or 17.0.6 or higher to ensure secure data handling.

3

What versions of FreePBX are affected by CVE-2026-26978?

CVE-2026-26978 impacts FreePBX versions below 16.0.71 and 17.0.6.

4

What is the nature of the vulnerability in CVE-2026-26978?

CVE-2026-26978 involves deserialization of untrusted data which can lead to potential compromise during backup restores.

5

Can CVE-2026-26978 be exploited remotely?

Yes, CVE-2026-26978 can be exploited remotely if an attacker has access to the backup functionality of the affected FreePBX versions.

Contact

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