CVE-2023-6790 in PAN-OS
Summary
by MITRE • 12/13/2023
A DOM-Based cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS software enables a remote attacker to execute a JavaScript payload in the context of an administrator’s browser when they view a specifically crafted link to the PAN-OS web interface.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/10/2024
This vulnerability represents a critical DOM-based cross-site scripting flaw in Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS software that fundamentally undermines the security of administrative web interfaces. The vulnerability exists within the web-based management console of the firewall software, creating an attack vector that allows remote adversaries to inject malicious JavaScript code directly into the browser context of authenticated administrators. The flaw specifically manifests when administrators click on specially crafted links that contain malicious payloads designed to exploit the DOM manipulation capabilities of the web interface.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the PAN-OS web application's JavaScript processing mechanisms. When administrators navigate to maliciously constructed URLs, the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied parameters before incorporating them into dynamic DOM elements. This allows attackers to inject arbitrary JavaScript code that executes within the victim's browser session with the elevated privileges of the authenticated administrator. The vulnerability is classified as DOM-based XSS because the malicious payload is executed on the client-side within the document object model rather than being processed server-side, making it particularly challenging to detect through traditional network-based security measures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with complete administrative control over affected PAN-OS devices. Successful exploitation enables attackers to perform any action available to administrators, including but not limited to modifying firewall rules, accessing sensitive network data, creating backdoor access points, and exfiltrating confidential information. The attack requires only that an administrator clicks on a malicious link, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrators frequently interact with external communications or may be targeted through social engineering campaigns. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and can lead to complete network compromise when combined with other attack vectors.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including deploying web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious XSS payloads, implementing strict content security policies to prevent unauthorized script execution, and conducting comprehensive security awareness training for administrators to recognize phishing attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers spearphishing attacks that can be used to deliver malicious links. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing multi-factor authentication for administrative access, regularly updating PAN-OS software to the latest security patches, and monitoring web traffic for suspicious patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The remediation process requires careful coordination with Palo Alto Networks security advisories and may involve temporary network segmentation to limit potential damage while implementing permanent fixes.