CVE-2017-7644 in PAN-OS
Summary
by MITRE
The Management Web Interface in Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS before 6.1.17, 7.x before 7.0.15, and 7.1.x before 7.1.9 allows remote authenticated users to obtain sensitive information by leveraging incorrect permission validation, aka PAN-SA-2017-0013 and PAN-70541.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/22/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-7644 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the Management Web Interface of Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS operating systems. This security weakness affects multiple versions of the firewall software including PAN-OS before 6.1.17, 7.x before 7.0.15, and 7.1.x before 7.1.9, creating a significant risk for organizations relying on these network security platforms. The flaw stems from improper permission validation mechanisms that allow remote authenticated users to access sensitive system information that should be restricted to authorized administrators only.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a failure in the access control validation process within the web management interface component of the PAN-OS platform. When authenticated users interact with the management web interface, the system fails to properly verify whether the requesting user has appropriate privileges to access certain administrative functions and system information. This misconfiguration enables attackers who have already established legitimate authentication credentials to escalate their access and retrieve confidential data that could include system configurations, user credentials, network topology information, and other sensitive operational details. The vulnerability specifically relates to CWE-285 which addresses improper authorization issues in software systems.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-7644 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked data can significantly aid attackers in planning more sophisticated attacks against the affected network infrastructure. An attacker with access to sensitive system information can map network architecture, identify vulnerable services, understand security configurations, and potentially exploit additional weaknesses within the environment. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations that depend on Palo Alto Networks firewalls for their primary network security posture, as the compromised information could enable lateral movement attacks, credential harvesting, or targeted exploitation of other system components. The attack vector requires only remote authenticated access, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited from outside the network perimeter by users who have already gained legitimate credentials through various means such as credential theft, phishing attacks, or compromised accounts.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement the vendor-provided security patches and updates that address the permission validation flaws in the management web interface. The recommended mitigation strategy includes upgrading to PAN-OS versions 6.1.17, 7.0.15, or 7.1.9 respectively, which contain the necessary fixes for the authorization bypass issue. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive audits of their network management interfaces to identify any other potential access control weaknesses. Additionally, implementing network segmentation, monitoring for unusual access patterns in management interfaces, and enforcing strict access controls for administrative accounts can help reduce the risk of exploitation. This vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK tactics including credential access and discovery, as it enables adversaries to obtain information that can facilitate further compromise of the affected systems and network infrastructure.