CVE-2017-5583 in PAN-OS
Summary
by MITRE
The Management Web Interface in Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS before 6.1.16, 7.0.x before 7.0.13, and 7.1.x before 7.1.8 allows remote authenticated users to read arbitrary files via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/02/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5583 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the Management Web Interface of Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS software versions. This issue affects multiple major release lines including versions prior to 6.1.16, 7.0.13, and 7.1.8, creating a widespread impact across the organization's network security infrastructure. The vulnerability specifically enables remote authenticated attackers to access arbitrary files on the system, potentially exposing sensitive configuration data, user credentials, and other confidential information that should remain protected within the firewall environment.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and access control mechanisms within the web interface component of PAN-OS. Attackers with valid authentication credentials can exploit unspecified vectors to traverse the file system and retrieve files that they should not have access to based on their privilege level. This type of flaw falls under the CWE-22 category of Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The vulnerability allows malicious actors to bypass normal access controls and potentially obtain sensitive data that could compromise the entire network security posture.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-5583 extends beyond simple data exposure, as it provides attackers with potential access to critical system configuration files, user authentication data, and other sensitive information that could be leveraged for further attacks. This vulnerability directly impacts the principle of least privilege and could enable attackers to gather intelligence about network topology, security policies, and system configurations that would otherwise remain confidential. Organizations utilizing affected PAN-OS versions face significant risk of unauthorized access to their security infrastructure, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges or conduct more sophisticated attacks against their networks.
The attack vector for this vulnerability requires an authenticated user with valid credentials, making it less severe than a purely remote attack but still highly concerning given the potential for privilege escalation and data exfiltration. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically under the T1005 category of Data from Local System, and potentially T1078 for Valid Accounts. Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including applying the vendor-provided security patches, reviewing access controls, and monitoring for suspicious file access patterns. The vulnerability underscores the importance of regular security updates and proper access control implementation within network security devices to prevent unauthorized information disclosure that could compromise entire network infrastructures.