Vulnerability · Published Jun 10, 2021 · Assigned by palo_alto

CVE-2021-3041Cortex XDR Agent: Improper control of user-controlled file leads to local privilege escalation

High 7.8

In plain English

A high-severity uncontrolled search path in Cortex XDR Agent from Palo Alto Networks. There are no confirmed reports of exploitation so far. The chance it is exploited in the next 30 days is estimated at 0.2% (higher than 16% of all known vulnerabilities).

Severity (CVSS 3.1)7.8High

Exploit odds (30 days)0.2%top 83.8% of all CVEs

Exploited in the wildNo reportsnot in CISA KEV

Attack toolingNoneno public tooling known

Official description

A local privilege escalation vulnerability exists in the Palo Alto Networks Cortex XDR agent on Windows platforms that enables an authenticated local Windows user to execute programs with SYSTEM privileges. This requires the user to have the privilege to create files in the Windows root directory or to manipulate key registry values. This issue impacts: Cortex XDR agent 5.0 versions earlier than Cortex XDR agent 5.0.11; Cortex XDR agent 6.1 versions earlier than Cortex XDR agent 6.1.8; Cortex XDR agent 7.2 versions earlier than Cortex XDR agent 7.2.3; All versions of Cortex XDR agent 7.2 without content update release 171 or a later version.

Affected products (as reported)

Vendor	Product	Versions
Palo Alto Networks	Cortex XDR Agent	5.0 – before 5.0.116.1 – before 6.1.87.2 – before 7.2.3 or without content update 171 or later

Weakness: CWE-427 · Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

References

https://security.paloaltonetworks.com/CVE-2021-3041 x_refsource_MISC