CVE-2025-0140 in GlobalProtect App
Summary
by MITRE • 07/10/2025
An incorrect privilege assignment vulnerability in the Palo Alto Networks GlobalProtect™ App on macOS and Linux devices enables a locally authenticated non administrative user to disable the app even if the GlobalProtect app configuration would not normally permit them to do so.
The GlobalProtect app on Windows, iOS, Android, Chrome OS and GlobalProtect UWP app are not affected.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/30/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-0140 represents a critical privilege assignment flaw within the Palo Alto Networks GlobalProtect application ecosystem. This issue specifically targets macOS and Linux platforms where a locally authenticated user can bypass intended security controls to disable the GlobalProtect application despite configuration settings that should prevent such actions. The flaw demonstrates a clear breakdown in the principle of least privilege enforcement, where user permissions are incorrectly validated during application state modification operations. The vulnerability exists in the application's authorization mechanism that fails to properly verify user privileges before executing administrative actions such as application disabling. This represents a direct violation of access control principles and creates a potential pathway for unauthorized system modifications that could compromise network security posture.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper privilege validation routines within the GlobalProtect app's codebase on affected platforms. When a user attempts to disable the application, the system should verify that the requesting user possesses sufficient administrative privileges according to the configured security policies. However, the flaw allows local users to circumvent this validation process through manipulated input sequences or direct system calls that bypass the normal authorization flow. The vulnerability is classified as a privilege escalation issue under CWE-276, specifically involving inadequate access control mechanisms. The attack surface is limited to local authenticated users who already have login credentials on the system, but the impact extends beyond simple application control to potentially enable further malicious activities. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1068 which describes "Local Port Proxy" and related privilege escalation methods.
The operational impact of CVE-2025-0140 poses significant risks to organizations relying on Palo Alto Networks GlobalProtect for network security enforcement. A malicious local user could disable security protections, potentially exposing the system to unauthorized access while maintaining the appearance of normal network operations. The vulnerability undermines the integrity of the security framework by allowing users to modify application behavior contrary to security policies. Organizations may experience reduced security coverage as the GlobalProtect service becomes unavailable, potentially exposing endpoints to network threats. The fact that Windows, iOS, Android, Chrome OS, and UWP versions remain unaffected suggests the vulnerability is specific to macOS and Linux implementation details, possibly related to how these operating systems handle application permissions and user contexts. This creates a heterogeneous security landscape where some platforms are more vulnerable than others, complicating overall security management and response efforts.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patch deployment from Palo Alto Networks as the primary defense mechanism. Organizations must conduct comprehensive inventory assessments to identify all affected macOS and Linux systems running GlobalProtect applications. System administrators should implement monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized application disabling attempts, leveraging security information and event management systems to flag anomalous privilege usage patterns. Additional defensive measures include implementing strict user account management policies that limit local administrative access, utilizing application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized modifications, and conducting regular security audits of system configurations. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining updated security software and the need for continuous monitoring of vendor security advisories. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation strategies to limit the potential impact of local privilege escalation attacks and establish incident response procedures specifically addressing application-level security breaches. Regular security awareness training for system administrators can help identify and respond to potential exploitation attempts more effectively.