GlobalProtect App: Exposed Unsafe ActiveX Method
CVE-2025-0118 is a high-severity exposed unsafe activex method vulnerability in GlobalProtect App from Palo Alto Networks, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.0 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an attacker with a low-privileged account, but only if a user takes part, for example by opening a link or file. The record lists versions 6.2.5, 6.1.6, 6.0.11 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 0.46% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update GlobalProtect App to 6.2.5 or 6.1.6 or 6.0.11, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Update Globalprotect to 6.0.11 or 6.1.6 or 6.2.5 or 6.3.3, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Read the advisory on security.paloaltonetworks.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Because the attack needs a user to take part, warn users about unexpected links and files related to this product until it is patched.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palo Alto Networks | GlobalProtect App | 6.2.0 up to, but not including, 6.2.5; 6.1.0 up to, but not including, 6.1.6; 6.0.0 up to, but not including, 6.0.11 | 6.2.5, 6.1.6, 6.0.11 |
| Palo Alto Networks | GlobalProtect UWP App | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Palo Alto Networks | Globalprotect | 6.0.0 up to, but not including, 6.0.11; 6.1.0 up to, but not including, 6.1.6; 6.2.0 up to, but not including, 6.2.5; 6.3.0 up to, but not including, 6.3.3 | 6.0.11, 6.1.6, 6.2.5, 6.3.3 |
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
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- LowA basic user account is enough.
- User interaction
- RequiredA user must take an action such as opening a file or link.
- 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:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 4.0 | 6.0 | Medium | CNA (paloaltonetworks.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.0 | High | NVD |
Official description
A vulnerability in the Palo Alto Networks GlobalProtect app on Windows allows a remote attacker to run ActiveX controls within the context of an authenticated Windows user. This enables the attacker to run commands as if they are a legitimate authenticated user. However, to exploit this vulnerability, the authenticated user must navigate to a malicious page during the GlobalProtect SAML login process on a Windows device. This issue does not apply to the GlobalProtect app on other (non-Windows) platforms.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Exposed Unsafe ActiveX Method
An ActiveX control is intended for use in a web browser, but it exposes dangerous methods that perform actions that are outside of the browser's security model (e.g. the zone or domain).
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- If you must expose a method, make sure to perform input validation on all arguments, and protect against all possible vulnerabilities.
- Use code signing, although this does not protect against any weaknesses that are already in the control.
- Where possible, avoid marking the control as safe for scripting.
More Exposed Unsafe ActiveX Method vulnerabilities (CWE-618)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
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
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