CVE-2014-3764 in PAN-OS
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the web-based device management interface in Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS before 5.0.15, 5.1.x before 5.1.10, and 6.0.x before 6.0.6 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors, aka Ref ID 64563.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/02/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-3764 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the web-based device management interface of Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS operating systems. This security weakness affects multiple versions of the firewall software, specifically targeting releases before 5.0.15, 5.1.10, and 6.0.6, creating a widespread impact across enterprise network security infrastructure. The vulnerability resides in the device management interface that administrators use to configure and monitor firewall policies, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise network security operations.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability allows remote attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML code into the management interface through unspecified attack vectors. This flaw enables attackers to execute arbitrary code within the context of the victim's browser session, potentially leading to complete compromise of the administrative interface. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-79 indicates it involves improper neutralization of input during web page generation, where user-supplied data is not properly sanitized before being rendered back to users. The attack surface extends beyond simple script injection to include potential session hijacking and privilege escalation opportunities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe for organizations relying on Palo Alto Networks firewalls for their security infrastructure. Attackers could leverage this flaw to gain unauthorized access to the device management interface, potentially allowing them to modify firewall rules, view sensitive configuration data, or redirect traffic through compromised network devices. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors do not require physical access to the network equipment, making it particularly dangerous for organizations with distributed network deployments. The Ref ID 64563 reference indicates this vulnerability was tracked through Palo Alto Networks' internal vulnerability management processes, highlighting the organization's recognition of its severity.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including applying the appropriate software patches released by Palo Alto Networks, which address the input validation flaws in the web interface components. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit administrative access to the management interface, while implementing additional monitoring for suspicious activities in the device management logs. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as attackers could use the XSS to execute malicious commands through the compromised interface, and T1566 for phishing with social engineering, as the attack could be delivered through malicious web content. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls and additional input validation measures to reduce the attack surface and prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in the future.