CVE-2024-3400: Command Injection Vulnerability in GlobalProtect feature of Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS Software: Exploit Details and Remediation Steps

A recent discovery has revealed a critical command injection vulnerability (CVE-2024-3400) in the GlobalProtect feature of Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS software. This vulnerability affects specific PAN-OS versions and distinct feature configurations. It could potentially allow an unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code with root privileges on the firewall, thereby compromising the security of the entire network.

This post will delve into the details of the vulnerability, its effects, and how to mitigate it. We will also provide code snippets and links to original references for further understanding.

Vulnerability Details

The command injection vulnerability lies in the handling of certain user input by GlobalProtect running on PAN-OS. If an attacker is able to craft malicious user input, they can exploit this vulnerability and execute arbitrary code with root privileges on the firewall.

Exploit

To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker would need to craft a specially designed HTTP request and send it to the affected PAN-OS device. Upon receiving the request, the vulnerable GlobalProtect feature would improperly validate the user input, resulting in the execution of the attacker's code with root privileges.

Here is a sample code snippet demonstrating an example exploit

import requests

target_url = "https://vulnerable_panos_device.com";
malicious_payload = "; malicious_command_here"

headers = {
    "Content-Type": "application/x-www-form-urlencoded",
    "User-Agent": "GlobalProtect"
}

data = {
    "globalprotect_input": malicious_payload
}

response = requests.post(target_url, headers=headers, data=data)

if response.status_code == 200:
    print("Exploit successful")
else:
    print("Exploit failed")

PAN-OS 9.1.x

It is important to note that Cloud NGFW, Panorama appliances, and Prisma Access are not affected by this vulnerability.

Mitigation Steps

Palo Alto Networks has released patches to address this vulnerability. To secure your network and prevent the exploitation of this vulnerability, follow these steps:

PAN-OS 9.1.5 and later

2. If you cannot upgrade immediately, implement the following workaround to reduce the risk of exploitation:
- Disable the GlobalProtect feature on the affected PAN-OS device until you can upgrade to a patched version.

For more information on this vulnerability, please refer to the following resources

- Palo Alto Networks Security Advisory: CVE-2024-3400
- NIST National Vulnerability Database: CVE-2024-3400

Conclusion

The CVE-2024-3400 vulnerability poses a significant risk to networks with affected PAN-OS devices. It's essential to stay informed about the latest vulnerabilities and take appropriate steps to protect your organization from potential threats. Upgrading to a patched version of PAN-OS and implementing the recommended workaround will help to mitigate this risk and prevent attackers from exploiting this vulnerability.

Stay safe and remember to keep your software up to date to ensure the security of your network.

Timeline

Published on: 04/12/2024 08:15:06 UTC
Last modified on: 04/15/2024 04:15:14 UTC