GlobalProtect App: Improper Certificate Validation
CVE-2024-5921 is a high-severity improper certificate validation vulnerability in GlobalProtect App from Palo Alto Networks, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.8 out of 10. It can be exploited from the same local network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. The record lists versions 6.3.2, 6.2.6, 6.2.6-c857 as the first without the flaw, so updating GlobalProtect App to one of those releases or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 1.46% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 74% of scored CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update GlobalProtect App to 6.3.2 or 6.2.6 or 6.2.6-c857 or 6.2.1-c31, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Update Globalprotect to 6.1.6 or 6.1.7 or 6.2.1 or 6.2.6, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Read the advisory on security.paloaltonetworks.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palo Alto Networks | GlobalProtect App | 6.3.0 up to, but not including, 6.3.2; 6.2.0 up to, but not including, 6.2.6; 6.1.0; 6.2.0 up to, but not including, 6.2.6-c857; 6.2.0 up to, but not including, 6.2.1-c31; 6.1.0 up to, but not including, 6.1.6; 6.1.0 up to, but not including, 6.1.7 | 6.3.2, 6.2.6, 6.2.6-c857, 6.2.1-c31, 6.1.6, 6.1.7 |
| Palo Alto Networks | Globalprotect | 6.1.0 up to, but not including, 6.1.6; 6.1.0 up to, but not including, 6.1.7; 6.1.0 up to, but not including, 6.2.1; 6.1.0 up to, but not including, 6.2.6; 6.3.0 up to, but not including, 6.3.2 | 6.1.6, 6.1.7, 6.2.1, 6.2.6, 6.3.2 |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- AdjacentThe attacker must be on the same local network segment.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 4.0 | 7.1 | High | CNA (paloaltonetworks.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.8 | High | NVD |
Official description
An insufficient certification validation issue in the Palo Alto Networks GlobalProtect app enables attackers to connect the GlobalProtect app to arbitrary servers. This can enable a local non-administrative operating system user or an attacker on the same subnet to install malicious root certificates on the endpoint and subsequently install malicious software signed by the malicious root certificates on that endpoint. Please subscribe to our RSS feed https://security.paloaltonetworks.com/rss.xml to be alerted to new updates to this and other advisories.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Certificate Validation
The product does not validate, or incorrectly validates, a certificate.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Certificates should be carefully managed and checked to assure that data are encrypted with the intended owner's public key.
- If certificate pinning is being used, ensure that all relevant properties of the certificate are fully validated before the certificate is pinned, including the hostname.
More Improper Certificate Validation vulnerabilities (CWE-295)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: poc, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Technical write-ups (may include proof of concept)
- blog.amberwolf.com/blog/2024/november/palo-alto-globalprotect---code-execution-and-privilege-escalation-via-m…Exploit, Technical Description, Third Party Advisory
Other references
- github.com/AmberWolfCyber/NachoVPNNot Applicable
Other vulnerabilities in GlobalProtect App
- 7.8 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 7.4 High severity
- 7.0 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
Recent Improper Certificate Validation vulnerabilities
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.4 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 7.4 High severity
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