CVE-2021-3042: palo alto networks cortex xdr agent Uncontrolled Search Path Element

Vulnerability summary

CVE-2021-3042 is a high (CVSS 7.8) Uncontrolled Search Path Element vulnerability in palo alto networks cortex xdr agent. EPSS estimates a 0.25% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 15.1% of scored vulnerabilities.

Timeline

1. 15-07-2021
   PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
2. 17-09-2024
   Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.

Description

A local privilege escalation (PE) 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. Exploiting this vulnerability requires the user to have file creation privilege in the Windows root directory (such as C:\). This issue impacts: All versions of Cortex XDR agent 6.1 without content update 181 or a later version; All versions of Cortex XDR agent 7.2 without content update 181 or a later version; All versions of Cortex XDR agent 7.3 without content update 181 or a later version. Cortex XDR agent 5.0 versions are not impacted by this issue. Content updates are required to resolve this issue and are automatically applied for the agent.

• CWE-427Uncontrolled Search Path ElementThe product uses a fixed or controlled search path to find resources, but one or more locations in that path can be under the control of unintended actors.