CVE-2021-3041

Summary

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 Software

VendorProductVersion RangeStatus
Palo Alto NetworksCortex XDR Agent5.0 < 5.0.11affected
Palo Alto NetworksCortex XDR Agent6.1 < 6.1.8affected
Palo Alto NetworksCortex XDR Agent7.2 < 7.2.3 or without content update 171 or lateraffected

Weaknesses

  • CWE-427: CWE-427 Uncontrolled Search Path Element

Workarounds

This issue is mitigated by preventing local authenticated Windows users from creating files in the Windows root directory (such as C:) and ensuring they are unable to manipulate the Windows registry.

ADP Enrichment

CVE Program Container

Additional References

References