CVE-2017-7409 in PAN-OS
Summary
by MITRE
Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS before 7.0.15 has XSS in the GlobalProtect external interface via crafted request parameters, aka PAN-SA-2017-0011 and PAN-70674.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/21/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-7409 represents a cross-site scripting flaw within Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS versions prior to 7.0.15, specifically affecting the GlobalProtect external interface. This security weakness enables attackers to inject malicious scripts into web-based user interfaces through carefully crafted request parameters, potentially compromising the integrity of the network security infrastructure. The vulnerability was disclosed under the Palo Alto Networks Security Advisory PAN-SA-2017-0011 and tracked internally as PAN-70674, highlighting its significance within the vendor's security tracking systems.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of input parameters sent to the GlobalProtect external interface, which fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it within web responses. This lack of input validation creates an environment where malicious actors can embed script code that executes in the context of other users' browsers who interact with the affected interface. The flaw specifically targets the external interface component of GlobalProtect, which serves as the communication channel between remote users and the firewall infrastructure, making it a critical attack vector for compromising network security operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-7409 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can potentially enable attackers to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of authenticated users, or redirect victims to malicious websites. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations relying on GlobalProtect for remote access management, as successful exploitation could allow attackers to gain elevated privileges within the security ecosystem. The attack surface is further expanded when considering that GlobalProtect interfaces often serve as entry points for remote workforce connectivity, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous for enterprises with distributed workforces.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation by upgrading their PAN-OS installations to version 7.0.15 or later, which includes the necessary patches to address the XSS vulnerability. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms within web applications can provide defense-in-depth measures against similar vulnerabilities. Network administrators should also consider monitoring for suspicious traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts and maintain updated threat intelligence feeds to identify potential attack signatures. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting as a fundamental web application security weakness, and may be leveraged by threat actors following ATT&CK techniques related to initial access and privilege escalation through web-based attack vectors.