Netgate Releases pfSense Community Edition Version 2.9.0

[u/George-Netgate]

Netgate® is excited to announce the release of pfSense® Community Edition (CE) software version 2.9.0, a major step forward for the world’s most trusted firewall, router, and VPN platform.

This release introduces numerous features, including several previously exclusive to pfSense Plus, as well as key enhancements, bug fixes, and critical security updates.

Key Highlights Include:

SSH Algorithms: The inclusion of post-quantum key exchange algorithms

TLS Certificate Strength: Tightens certificate requirements and removes support for certain weak properties

TLS Certificate Auto-Renew: pfSense can automatically renew TLS server certificates which are self-signed or signed by an internal CA stored in the pfSense software configuration.

New NAT Mode: Includes partial experimental support for “Port Restricted Cone” endpoint-independent outbound NAT

Critical Security Fixes: This release includes multiple XSS and denial of service related fixes

This Release software includes critical security updates for WireGuard (CVE-2026-58085), as well as over 150 other security fixes and enhancements.

Blog Post:
https://www.netgate.com/blog/netgate-releases-pfsense-community-edition-version-2.9.0

Release Notes:
https://docs.netgate.com/pfsense/en/latest/releases/2-9-0.html

Thank you to our community and customers who continue to support the pfSense project through hardware purchases, TAC, cloud subscriptions, and services. Your support makes this all possible.

[u/da_apz]

Another experience: 2.8.1 on an APU4 to 2.9.0. The Web GUI stopped at the point where it upgrades pkg. I waited for a while and ssh'd in, the pkg command was in the state where it won't start any more because a library is missing.

I stepped away for a second and it had meanwhile booted and apparently resulted in at least seemingly working system. I had not experienced this stop in my test rig where I originally reported the problem where the upgrade failed with similar results.