CVE-2020-1989
Global Protect Agent: Incorrect privilege assignment allows local privilege escalation
No known exploitation. EPSS puts it in the 17th percentile. Fixed versions are out.
What to do
Find your product and version, then upgrade to the build on the right.
- Palo Alto Networks Global Protect AgentAffected: ≥ 5.0, < 5.0.8Upgrade to: 5.0.8Affected: ≥ 5.1, < 5.1.1Upgrade to: 5.1.1Stated by: CVE record
- Paloaltonetworks GlobalprotectAffected: ≥ 5.0, < 5.0.8Upgrade to: 5.0.8Stated by: NVD
- Palo Alto Networks Inc. GlobalProtect Agent for LinuxAffected: от 5.0 до 5.0.8Upgrade to: not statedStated by: BDU
Versions as the sources state them. Full version matrix after sign-in
What it is
From the CVE record
An incorrect privilege assignment vulnerability when writing application-specific files in the Palo Alto Networks Global Protect Agent for Linux on ARM platform allows a local authenticated user to gain root privileges on the system. This issue affects Palo Alto Networks Global Protect Agent for Linux 5.0 versions before 5.0.8; 5.1 versions before 5.1.1.
In plain language
No plain-language summary for this CVE yet.
Exploitation
Where each signal puts this CVE on the scale from published to confirmed exploited.
- CISA KEV
Not in the catalog. CISA has not confirmed exploitation.
- Public exploits
No public exploit or proof of concept found in the sources we track.
- EPSS
0.3% chance of exploitation activity in the next 30 days, which ranks it in the 17th percentile of scored CVEs.
Exploit Prediction Scoring System, FIRST.org. A probability, not a confirmation.
Lifecycle
6 events over 1688 days, from the signal feeds we watch.
- Patch availableworkaround available, record updated
- Publishedweakness classified, att&ck mapped
Affected products
Technical detail
CVSS 3.1 vector
Open in the CVSS calculatorCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Scored 7.0 by NVD.
How it is reached
- Attack Vector LocalRequires local access to the vulnerable system (e.g. local login, malicious file)
- Attack Complexity HighRequires specific conditions like a race condition or non-default configuration
- Privileges Required LowRequires basic user-level privileges
- User Interaction NoneNo user interaction needed — fully automated exploitation
Scope
- Scope UnchangedImpact is limited to the vulnerable component itself
Impact if exploited
- Confidentiality HighTotal information disclosure — all data in the component is compromised
- Integrity HighTotal loss of integrity — attacker can modify any data in the component
- Availability HighTotal denial of service — the component is completely unavailable
Weaknesses
ATT&CK techniques
Mapped from the weaknesses above (CWE to ATT&CK), not observed in attacks.
- Privilege EscalationT1068Exploitation for Privilege Escalationhigh confidence
Sources
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We'll flag the next CVE, public exploit or patch for Globalprotect, not every advisory.
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