CVE-2020-2049: palo alto networks cortex xdr agent Uncontrolled Search Path Element
Vulnerability summary
CVE-2020-2049 is a high (CVSS 7.8) Uncontrolled Search Path Element vulnerability in palo alto networks cortex xdr agent. EPSS estimates a 0.34% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 26.8% of scored vulnerabilities.
Timeline
- 09-12-2020PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
- 17-09-2024Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.
Description
A local privilege escalation vulnerability exists in Palo Alto Networks Cortex XDR Agent on the Windows platform that allows 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. This issue impacts: All versions of Cortex XDR Agent 7.1 with content update 149 and earlier versions; All versions of Cortex XDR Agent 7.2 with content update 149 and earlier versions.
CVSS metrics
3 scores · 2 sources · 2 versions- NVDNIST7.8HighCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS trend
Probability
0.34%
Chance of exploitation in the next 30 days
Percentile
27%
Versus all other CVEs
30-day change
0.00 pp
From 0.34% on 21-09-2026
Known exploited
Compare KEV catalogsNot in any of the 3 tracked catalogs.
Public exploits
0 foundNo public exploits indexed.
Weaknesses
CWE · root causeAffected systems
Palo alto networks1 product
- cortex xdr agent7.1.* without content update 150 | 7.2.* without content update 150
Paloaltonetworks1 product
- cortex_xdr_agent≥ 7.1.1, ≤ 7.1.3 | ≥ 7.2.1, ≤ 7.2.2 | 7.1 | 7.1:content_update149 | 7.2 | 7.2:content_update149
2 vendors · 2 products