CVE-2019-17437 in PAN-OS
Summary
by MITRE
An improper authentication check in Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS may allow an authenticated low privileged non-superuser custom role user to elevate privileges and become superuser. This issue affects PAN-OS 7.1 versions prior to 7.1.25; 8.0 versions prior to 8.0.20; 8.1 versions prior to 8.1.11; 9.0 versions prior to 9.0.5. PAN-OS version 7.0 and prior EOL versions have not been evaluated for this issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/07/2024
This vulnerability represents a critical privilege escalation flaw in Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS firewall software that undermines the fundamental security model of the platform. The issue stems from an improper authentication check mechanism that allows attackers with low-privileged user accounts to bypass normal access controls and assume superuser privileges. The vulnerability affects multiple major versions of PAN-OS including 7.1 through 9.0, with specific patch levels required to remediate the issue. This type of flaw directly violates the principle of least privilege and can have severe operational consequences for organizations relying on Palo Alto firewalls for network security.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a flaw in the role-based access control system where the authentication check does not properly validate user permissions before granting elevated access. Attackers with custom role user accounts can exploit this weakness to gain superuser privileges without requiring legitimate administrative credentials. The vulnerability is classified as a privilege escalation issue that aligns with CWE-284 which specifically addresses improper access control. This weakness allows unauthorized users to perform actions that should be restricted to administrators, effectively compromising the entire security posture of the firewall system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it enables attackers to gain complete administrative control over the firewall without detection. Once elevated to superuser status, an attacker can modify firewall rules, access sensitive network data, disable security features, and potentially use the compromised firewall as a pivot point for further attacks within the network. This vulnerability can be exploited by attackers who have already gained access to a low-privileged user account, making it particularly dangerous in environments where user accounts may be compromised through phishing, credential theft, or other initial access vectors. The impact extends beyond immediate firewall compromise to potentially affect the entire network infrastructure that relies on the firewall for security controls.
Organizations should immediately implement the vendor-provided patches for PAN-OS versions 7.1.25, 8.0.20, 8.1.11, and 9.0.5 to remediate this vulnerability. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive audits of user accounts and permissions to identify any potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers privilege escalation through local exploitation, and organizations should review their monitoring capabilities to detect unauthorized privilege escalation attempts. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and least-privilege access controls can help limit the potential impact if such vulnerabilities are exploited in the future. Regular security assessments and vulnerability management processes should include verification of firewall software versions and patch compliance to prevent similar issues from arising.