CVE-2012-6598 in PAN-OS
Summary
by MITRE
The device-management command-line interface in Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS 4.0.x before 4.0.8 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary commands via unspecified vectors, aka Ref ID 33080.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/07/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-6598 represents a critical command injection flaw within the device-management command-line interface of Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS operating system versions 4.0.x prior to 4.0.8. This vulnerability affects the core administrative functionality of Palo Alto firewalls and security appliances, creating a significant risk for organizations relying on these devices for network protection. The issue stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the command-line interface that handles administrative commands, allowing authenticated attackers to inject malicious commands that execute with elevated privileges. The vulnerability's classification as a remote authenticated command execution flaw means that an attacker must first establish valid credentials but does not require physical access or complex network positioning to exploit the vulnerability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of user-supplied input within the device management interface. Attackers can leverage this weakness by crafting specially formatted commands or parameters that bypass normal input validation mechanisms and are subsequently executed by the underlying operating system. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-88 categories, which specifically address command injection vulnerabilities where user-controllable data is incorporated into system commands without proper sanitization. The flaw operates at the interface level where administrative commands are processed, making it particularly dangerous as successful exploitation would allow attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the administrative account. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple command execution to potentially compromise the entire security appliance and underlying network infrastructure.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-6598 is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with the capability to gain full administrative control over affected Palo Alto devices. Once exploited, an attacker could modify firewall rules, disable security features, create backdoor access points, or exfiltrate sensitive network data. The vulnerability affects organizations that depend on Palo Alto's PAN-OS for network security, potentially leading to complete network compromise and data breaches. The remote nature of the attack means that organizations are vulnerable to exploitation from anywhere on the internet, provided an attacker can obtain valid credentials. This vulnerability also represents a significant concern for compliance and regulatory requirements, as it could lead to violations of security standards such as those outlined in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and ISO 27001. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the vulnerability exists within the administrative interface that is commonly exposed to network management systems and remote access tools.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigation strategies including applying the official PAN-OS patch version 4.0.8 or later, which resolves the command injection issue through proper input validation and sanitization. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit administrative access to only trusted personnel and systems. Monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual command execution patterns within the firewall management interface. The vulnerability's characteristics make it particularly susceptible to exploitation through credential compromise attacks, making multi-factor authentication and robust access control policies essential. Security teams should also consider implementing network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify anomalous command execution patterns and alert administrators to potential exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other network security devices and systems, ensuring comprehensive protection against command injection attacks that follow similar patterns to CVE-2012-6598.