CVE-2024-0010 in PAN-OS
Summary
by MITRE • 02/14/2024
A reflected cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the GlobalProtect portal feature of Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS software enables execution of malicious JavaScript (in the context of a user’s browser) if a user clicks on a malicious link, allowing phishing attacks that could lead to credential theft.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/19/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-0010 represents a critical reflected cross-site scripting flaw within the GlobalProtect portal functionality of Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS software. This security weakness specifically affects the web interface component that handles user authentication and portal access, creating a dangerous attack vector that can be exploited by malicious actors to compromise user sessions. The vulnerability resides in how the affected software processes and reflects user input without proper sanitization, allowing attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that executes within the context of authenticated user browsers.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the GlobalProtect portal's web interface. When users navigate to specially crafted malicious URLs containing crafted script payloads, the vulnerable application reflects these inputs back to the user's browser without adequate sanitization measures. This creates an environment where attackers can craft deceptive links that appear legitimate to users but contain embedded malicious JavaScript code designed to capture session cookies, credentials, or other sensitive information. The flaw operates at the application layer and specifically impacts the web portal functionality that handles user authentication requests and session management.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-0010 extends beyond simple script execution, creating significant risks for organizations relying on Palo Alto Networks firewalls for network security. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to conduct sophisticated phishing campaigns that appear to originate from legitimate corporate portals, making them particularly effective at bypassing user awareness and security controls. Successful exploitation could result in complete credential compromise, unauthorized access to corporate networks, and potential lateral movement within the affected environment. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates in the context of authenticated users, meaning that successful attacks could provide attackers with elevated privileges and access to sensitive corporate resources that would otherwise be protected by network segmentation.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including disabling or restricting access to the vulnerable GlobalProtect portal functionality until patches are deployed, implementing strict content security policies to prevent script execution, and conducting comprehensive user awareness training to identify and avoid suspicious links. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers phishing attacks and social engineering tactics. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities across their network infrastructure and ensure comprehensive protection against evolving attack vectors.