Cloud NGFW: Missing Authentication for Critical Functionality
CVE-2026-0283 is a high-severity missing authentication for critical functionality vulnerability in Cloud NGFW from Palo Alto Networks, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.2 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.38% 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 PAN-OS to 12.1.8 or 11.2.13 or 11.1.16 or 10.2.18-h8, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Read the advisory on security.paloaltonetworks.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palo Alto Networks | Cloud NGFW | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Palo Alto Networks | PAN-OS | 12.1.0 up to, but not including, 12.1.8; 11.2.0 up to, but not including, 11.2.13; 11.1.0 up to, but not including, 11.1.16; 10.2.0 up to, but not including, 10.2.18-h8 | 12.1.8, 11.2.13, 11.1.16, 10.2.18-h8 |
| Palo Alto Networks | Prisma Access | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Siemens | RUGGEDCOM APE1808 | all versions | Not stated |
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
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- ChangedThe attack can reach beyond the vulnerable component into other systems.
- Confidentiality
- LowSome restricted data can be read.
- Integrity
- LowLimited modification of data is possible.
- Availability
- NoneAvailability is not affected.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 4.0 | 4.5 | Medium | CNA (paloaltonetworks.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.2 | High | NVD |
Official description
An authentication bypass vulnerability in Large Scale VPN ( LSVPN) functionality of Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS software allows an attacker with network access to bypass security restrictions and establish an unauthorized site-to-site VPN connection. Panorama, Cloud NGFW, and Prisma® Access are not impacted by this vulnerability.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Missing Authentication for Critical Functionality
The product does not perform any authentication for functionality that requires a provable user identity or consumes a significant amount of resources.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- For any security checks that are performed on the client side, ensure that these checks are duplicated on the server side, in order to avoid CWE-602. Attackers can bypass the client-side checks by modifying values after the checks have been performed, or by changing the client to remove the client-side checks entirely. Then, these modified values would be submitted to the server.
- Use a vetted library or framework that does not allow this weakness to occur or provides constructs that make this weakness easier to avoid. For example, consider using libraries with authentication capabilities such as OpenSSL or the ESAPI Authenticator.
- When storing data in the cloud (e.g., S3 buckets, Azure blobs, Google Cloud Storage, etc.), use the provider's controls to require strong authentication for users who should be allowed to access the data.
More Missing Authentication for Critical Functionality vulnerabilities (CWE-306)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other references
Other vulnerabilities in Cloud NGFW
- 7.2 High severity
Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS Code Injection Exploited
- 7.2 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 9.9 Critical severity
Recent Missing Authentication for Critical Functionality vulnerabilities
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.3 Critical severity
Spotted an error? Tell us.