CVE-2026-0307 in GlobalProtect App
Summary
by MITRE • 09/10/2026
Multiple local privilege escalation vulnerabilities in the Palo Alto Networks GlobalProtect™ app allows a local user to escalate their privileges to NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM on Windows and root on macOS and Linux. This enables a non-administrative user to execute arbitrary commands with administrative privileges.
This GlobalProtect app on iOS, Android and ChromeOS is not impacted.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/10/2026
The identified vulnerability represents a critical local privilege escalation flaw within the Palo Alto Networks GlobalProtect application across its Windows, macOS, and Linux client implementations. This security deficiency allows an authenticated but non-privileged user to elevate their access rights significantly beyond what was originally granted by system administrators or default configuration settings. Specifically, on Microsoft Windows operating systems, the vulnerability enables a standard user account to escalate privileges to NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM, which is the highest level of privilege in the Windows security architecture and possesses unrestricted control over the entire system. Similarly, on macOS and Linux distributions, the flaw permits escalation to root access, granting full administrative capabilities including the ability to modify system files, install software, and bypass standard security controls. This effectively neutralizes the principle of least privilege that is fundamental to secure operating system design.
The technical nature of this vulnerability typically stems from improper handling of application permissions or insecure configuration defaults within the GlobalProtect client service. In many such cases, the application may create temporary files with predictable names in world-writable directories, utilize weak file permissions on critical configuration files, or register services that run under high-privilege accounts without adequate access control lists restricting who can modify them. An attacker leveraging this flaw would likely exploit these misconfigurations to inject malicious code into a process running at the highest privilege level or manipulate system binaries and scripts that are executed during application startup or update processes. By doing so, the attacker achieves arbitrary command execution with administrative privileges, effectively taking full control of the compromised host machine without needing physical access or prior high-level credentials.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe, as it compromises the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of any endpoint running an affected version of GlobalProtect on Windows, macOS, or Linux. Once a non-administrative user gains root or SYSTEM level access, they can install persistent backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data stored locally, disable security software such as antivirus programs or host-based firewalls, and pivot to other systems within the network if lateral movement capabilities are available. This transforms a single endpoint compromise into a potential enterprise-wide breach, especially in environments where GlobalProtect is widely deployed for remote access. The presence of this vulnerability undermines trust in the endpoint agent, which serves as a critical security control point for verifying device health and enforcing compliance policies before allowing network access.
To mitigate these risks, organizations must immediately apply vendor-provided patches or updates that address the specific permission misconfigurations within the GlobalProtect client software. It is essential to verify that all endpoints running Windows, macOS, or Linux have been updated to a version where this privilege escalation vector has been remediated. In addition to patching, administrators should review and harden local security policies on affected systems, ensuring that standard user accounts do not possess write access to directories containing GlobalProtect binaries or configuration files. Implementing strict file integrity monitoring can also help detect unauthorized modifications to critical application components. Furthermore, organizations should enforce multi-factor authentication for administrative accounts and limit the number of users with local administrator rights to reduce the attack surface available to potential exploiters.
From a classification perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-269 Improper Privilege Management, as it involves an actor obtaining elevated privileges without proper authorization or verification. It also relates closely to CWE-732 Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical Resource, which describes situations where files or directories are assigned permissions that allow unintended actors to modify them. In terms of offensive security frameworks such as MITRE ATT&CK, this flaw facilitates the T1068 Exploitation for Privilege Escalation technique, allowing attackers to move from a low-privilege user context to a high-privilege system account. Understanding these mappings helps in categorizing the threat correctly and applying appropriate detection rules within security information and event management systems to identify attempts at privilege escalation via this specific application vector.