CVE-2024-3400 in PAN-OS
Summary
by MITRE • 04/12/2024
A command injection vulnerability in the GlobalProtect feature of Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS software for specific PAN-OS versions and distinct feature configurations may enable an unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code with root privileges on the firewall.
Fixes for PAN-OS 10.2, PAN-OS 11.0, and PAN-OS 11.1 are in development and are expected to be released by April 14, 2024. Cloud NGFW, Panorama appliances, and Prisma Access are not impacted by this vulnerability. All other versions of PAN-OS are also not impacted.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/07/2025
This command injection vulnerability exists within the GlobalProtect feature of Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS software affecting specific version ranges and configuration states. The flaw allows unauthenticated remote attackers to execute arbitrary code with root privileges on affected firewalls, representing a critical security risk that could lead to complete system compromise. The vulnerability specifically impacts PAN-OS versions 10.2, 11.0, and 11.1, with the vendor confirming that Cloud NGFW, Panorama appliances, and Prisma Access remain unaffected by this particular flaw. The attack vector requires no authentication credentials, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by anyone with network access to the affected system. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-94 categories, which classify it as a command injection vulnerability that can lead to arbitrary code execution, representing a fundamental breakdown in input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the GlobalProtect implementation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through improper handling of user-supplied input within the GlobalProtect feature's command processing logic. Attackers can craft malicious input that gets executed as system commands without proper sanitization or validation, enabling them to gain root access to the underlying operating system. The impact extends beyond simple code execution to full system compromise, as the executed commands run with the highest privileges available on the firewall. This represents a severe privilege escalation scenario that could allow attackers to modify firewall rules, access network traffic, exfiltrate sensitive data, or establish persistent backdoors within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices that violate security best practices and could be classified under ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, as attackers can leverage legitimate system tools to execute malicious payloads.
Organizations running affected PAN-OS versions must implement immediate mitigation strategies while awaiting official patches. The recommended approach includes disabling the GlobalProtect feature if not actively required, implementing network segmentation to limit access to affected systems, and monitoring for suspicious network activity that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider deploying intrusion detection systems with signatures specific to this vulnerability and establishing network-based controls to prevent unauthorized access to the affected firewall services. The vendor's planned release of fixes by April 14, 2024, provides a timeline for remediation, but organizations should not rely solely on this timeline for protection. Given the severity of the vulnerability and its potential for remote code execution without authentication, organizations should prioritize patch management and consider alternative security controls until official patches are applied. The vulnerability affects only specific PAN-OS versions and feature configurations, so administrators should verify their current deployment status and implement appropriate controls based on their exact system configuration and security requirements.