CVE-2016-1712 in PAN-OS
Summary
by MITRE
Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS before 5.0.19, 5.1.x before 5.1.12, 6.0.x before 6.0.14, 6.1.x before 6.1.12, and 7.0.x before 7.0.8 might allow local users to gain privileges by leveraging improper sanitization of the root_reboot local invocation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/07/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1712 affects Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS operating systems across multiple version ranges including 5.0.19, 5.1.12, 6.0.14, 6.1.12, and 7.0.8. This security flaw represents a local privilege escalation vulnerability that enables attackers with local access to elevate their privileges to the root level. The vulnerability stems from improper sanitization of the root_reboot local invocation, which creates a path for malicious code execution that bypasses normal security controls. The affected versions demonstrate a critical weakness in input validation mechanisms that should have prevented unauthorized privilege escalation attempts.
The technical flaw manifests in the way the system handles local invocation commands, specifically when processing root_reboot operations. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-20 category of Improper Input Validation, where the system fails to properly sanitize or validate input parameters before executing privileged operations. The improper sanitization allows attackers to inject malicious code or manipulate command execution flows that should only be accessible to root users. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires minimal privileges to exploit and can lead to complete system compromise. The attack vector involves local users who can leverage this flaw to execute commands with elevated privileges, effectively bypassing the operating system's access control mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations running affected PAN-OS versions, as it provides a direct path to system compromise for local attackers. Once exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to gain root access to the device, enabling them to modify system configurations, install malicious software, access sensitive data, and potentially use the compromised device as a pivot point for further attacks within the network. The vulnerability affects network security appliances that are critical infrastructure components, making the potential impact on network security operations substantial. Organizations may experience unauthorized access to firewall configurations, network traffic interception capabilities, and complete loss of network security controls.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate deployment of the vendor-provided security patches and updates that address the improper sanitization issue in the root_reboot local invocation. Network administrators should prioritize updating all affected PAN-OS devices to versions 5.0.19, 5.1.12, 6.0.14, 6.1.12, and 7.0.8 or later, which contain the necessary fixes for this privilege escalation flaw. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and monitoring for unauthorized local access attempts can help detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which involves local privilege escalation through improper input validation, making it a critical target for defensive measures. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and least privilege access principles to limit the potential impact if exploitation occurs, ensuring that even if one device is compromised, the attacker's access remains limited to that specific system.