CVE-2016-3655 in PAN-OS
Summary
by MITRE
The management web interface in Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS before 5.0.18, 6.0.x before 6.0.13, 6.1.x before 6.1.10, and 7.0.x before 7.0.5 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary OS commands via an unspecified API call.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/24/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-3655 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within the management web interface of Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS operating systems. This security weakness affects multiple versions of the firewall platform, specifically targeting PAN-OS versions prior to 5.0.18, 6.0.13, 6.1.10, and 7.0.5, creating a significant attack surface for malicious actors seeking to compromise network security infrastructure. The vulnerability stems from an unspecified API call that lacks proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms, allowing unauthorized remote attackers to inject and execute arbitrary operating system commands on the affected devices.
The technical nature of this flaw places it within the purview of CWE-77 and CWE-94 categories, which respectively address command injection vulnerabilities and improper neutralization of special elements used in os command execution. The vulnerability enables attackers to leverage the management interface to gain full control over the underlying operating system, potentially allowing them to install malware, modify firewall rules, exfiltrate sensitive data, or establish persistent backdoors within the network infrastructure. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the management plane level, where administrative privileges are typically granted, making it an ideal target for attackers seeking to escalate their privileges and gain comprehensive control over the security appliance.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it fundamentally undermines the security posture of organizations relying on Palo Alto Networks firewalls. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can effectively bypass all network security controls implemented by the firewall, potentially leading to complete network compromise and data breaches. The attack vector requires only remote access to the management web interface, making it particularly attractive to threat actors who may already have some level of network access or who can perform social engineering attacks to obtain administrative credentials. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001, which covers command and scripting interpreter for execution, as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary commands through the compromised management interface.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability must implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided patches and updates for PAN-OS versions 5.0.18, 6.0.13, 6.1.10, and 7.0.5, respectively. Network segmentation should be implemented to restrict access to the management interface from only trusted administrative networks, and multi-factor authentication should be enabled for all administrative accounts. Additionally, organizations should monitor network traffic for suspicious API calls and implement intrusion detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and the dangers of exposing administrative interfaces to untrusted networks, as it represents a classic example of how a single unpatched vulnerability can lead to complete system compromise and widespread security breaches across enterprise networks.