CVE-2017-7218 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 gain privileges via unspecified request parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/30/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-7218 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the Management Web Interface of Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS operating systems. This issue affects versions prior to 7.1.9 and exposes organizations to significant security risks by allowing remote authenticated attackers to elevate their privileges through unspecified request parameters. The vulnerability resides in the web interface component that manages administrative functions and user access controls, creating a pathway for malicious actors to bypass normal authentication mechanisms and gain unauthorized elevated access to network security appliances.
The technical implementation of this privilege escalation vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and parameter handling within the web interface's request processing logic. When authenticated users submit specific requests to the management interface, the system fails to properly validate or sanitize the parameters being passed, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate request data to assume higher privilege levels. This flaw operates at the application layer and leverages the existing authentication state of legitimate users to perform unauthorized privilege elevation. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 which addresses improper access control, specifically focusing on inadequate privilege management within web applications. The attack vector requires remote access with valid authentication credentials, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited from outside the organization's network perimeter.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-7218 extends beyond simple privilege escalation to potentially enable full administrative control over affected firewalls and security appliances. Once successfully exploited, attackers can modify firewall rules, access sensitive network data, configure system settings, and potentially establish persistent backdoors within the network infrastructure. This vulnerability directly impacts the core security posture of organizations relying on Palo Alto Networks equipment, as it undermines the fundamental principle of least privilege and allows attackers to move laterally within the network. The consequences include potential data breaches, unauthorized network access, and complete compromise of the security appliance's management functions, which could lead to widespread network disruption and regulatory compliance violations.
Organizations should immediately implement the vendor-provided security patches and updates for PAN-OS versions prior to 7.1.9 to remediate this vulnerability. System administrators should also conduct comprehensive network assessments to identify any potential exploitation attempts and monitor for suspicious activities in the management interface logs. Network segmentation and access control measures should be strengthened to limit the impact of potential compromise, while implementing additional monitoring for unusual privilege escalation patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining current security patches and following the principle of defense in depth, as it could be mitigated through proper access controls, network monitoring, and timely patch management procedures. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as multi-factor authentication for administrative access and regular security audits to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future.