CVE-2017-7216 in PAN-OS
Summary
by MITRE
The Management Web Interface in Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS before 7.1.9 allows remote authenticated users to obtain sensitive information via unspecified request parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/23/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-7216 affects the Management Web Interface of Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS operating systems prior to version 7.1.9. This represents a significant security flaw that enables remote authenticated attackers to extract sensitive information through unspecified request parameters, potentially compromising the confidentiality and integrity of network security configurations. The issue resides within the web interface component that manages administrative functions for the firewall appliances, making it a critical vector for information disclosure attacks.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate input validation and parameter handling within the management web interface's request processing mechanism. When authenticated users submit requests to the interface, the system fails to properly sanitize or validate the parameters being passed, allowing attackers to manipulate these inputs to access unauthorized data. This vulnerability specifically targets the information disclosure aspect rather than direct system compromise, though it can serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks. The unspecified nature of the request parameters suggests that multiple interface endpoints may be affected, making the scope of potential exploitation broader than initially apparent.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can provide attackers with sensitive configuration details, user credentials, system logs, or other confidential data that could be leveraged for further attacks. Network administrators who rely on the management web interface for routine operations face significant risk, as the vulnerability requires only authentication credentials to exploit, which are typically less protected than system-level access. This makes the attack surface particularly concerning for organizations where administrative access is maintained through web-based interfaces, potentially exposing critical network security infrastructure details to unauthorized parties.
Organizations should immediately implement the vendor-provided security patches for PAN-OS version 7.1.9 and higher, which address the information disclosure vulnerability through proper input validation and parameter sanitization. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit administrative access to the management interface, while implementing additional monitoring for unusual request patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1083 for discovering system information, making it a significant concern for organizations following standard cybersecurity frameworks and threat modeling practices. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other network management interfaces and ensure comprehensive protection against information disclosure threats.