CVE-2017-15944 in PAN-OS
Summary
by MITRE
Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS before 6.1.19, 7.0.x before 7.0.19, 7.1.x before 7.1.14, and 8.0.x before 8.0.6 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via vectors involving the management interface.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/09/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-15944 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS operating systems. This security weakness affects multiple version branches including 6.1.19, 7.0.19, 7.1.14, and 8.0.6, exposing organizations to significant operational risks. The flaw specifically targets the management interface of Palo Alto firewalls, which serves as the primary administrative access point for configuring and managing network security policies. This vector of attack is particularly dangerous because it allows remote adversaries to gain unrestricted access to the underlying operating system without requiring authentication credentials, effectively bypassing the security controls that protect network infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and handling within the management interface components of PAN-OS. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious requests that manipulate the system's processing of management interface communications. The flaw likely involves buffer overflow conditions or injection vulnerabilities that occur when the system processes specific management interface commands or data structures. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and potentially CWE-78, which covers improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands. The attack surface is particularly concerning because the management interface is designed to be accessible over the network, making it a prime target for remote exploitation attempts.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-15944 extends far beyond simple unauthorized access, as successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise and potential network infiltration. Organizations utilizing affected PAN-OS versions face the risk of attackers gaining root-level privileges on firewall appliances, enabling them to modify security policies, create backdoors, or establish persistent access points within the network infrastructure. This vulnerability directly impacts the CIA triad of information security by compromising confidentiality through unauthorized data access, integrity through potential policy manipulation, and availability through possible system disruption. The attack vector described in the CVE aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreter, and T1078, which addresses valid accounts for lateral movement within networks. The implications are severe for network security posture, as firewalls serve as critical defense mechanisms that protect organizational boundaries.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation efforts by upgrading to the patched versions of PAN-OS specified in the CVE advisory. The affected versions include PAN-OS 6.1.19, 7.0.19, 7.1.14, and 8.0.6, with each release containing specific patches addressing the vulnerability. Network administrators should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of management interfaces to trusted networks only, while also deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious management interface activity. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies, as the management interface serves as a primary attack surface for sophisticated adversaries. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify any potential exploitation attempts and establish monitoring procedures for anomalous management interface communications that could indicate compromise attempts.