CVE-2017-15944
Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
Description
CVE-2017-15944 is a remote code execution vulnerability in Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS that involves multiple chained vulnerabilities allowing unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary code on the management interface of affected firewalls. The flaw combines several unspecified weaknesses in the PAN-OS web management interface that, when exploited together, provide a full attack chain from unauthenticated access to code execution. CISA has added CVE-2017-15944 to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, confirming active exploitation in the wild. With an EPSS score of 94.2% (99.9th percentile), this is one of the most likely-to-be-exploited vulnerabilities tracked, representing an extreme risk to organizations with exposed PAN-OS management interfaces.
KEV Information
CVSS Score
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HOpen in CalculatorCWEs
Affected Products
| Vendor | Product | Version |
|---|---|---|
| paloaltonetworks | pan-os | < 6.1.19; >= 7.0.0, < 7.0.19; >= 7.1.0, < 7.1.14; >= 8.0.0, < 8.0.6 |
Multiple CVSS Assessments
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
References
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/102079(Broken Link, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry)
- http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1040007(Broken Link, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry)
- https://security.paloaltonetworks.com/CVE-2017-15944(Vendor Advisory)
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/43342/(Exploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry)
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/44597/(Exploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry)
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2017-15944(US Government Resource)
Weakness Type
CWE-77: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection')
CVE-2017-15944 involves command injection as part of a chain of vulnerabilities in the Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS web management interface. The attack chain leverages multiple weaknesses that, when combined, allow an unauthenticated attacker to inject and execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system of the firewall. The command injection component enables the attacker to execute system-level commands with the privileges of the web management service.
Learn more: CWE-77 — Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection')
Impact Analysis
CVE-2017-15944 presents a critical risk to organizations using Palo Alto Networks firewalls, as the vulnerability allows unauthenticated remote code execution on the firewall's management interface. Because firewalls are security-critical infrastructure devices, successful exploitation grants the attacker control over the network perimeter, enabling traffic interception, security policy modification, network segmentation bypass, and lateral movement into the protected network. The attack requires no authentication and targets the web management interface, which is sometimes inadvertently exposed to the internet. Confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the entire network protected by the compromised firewall are at risk. The EPSS score of 94.2% (99.9th percentile) indicates near-certain exploitation activity, making this one of the most actively targeted network security appliance vulnerabilities.
Exploit Maturity
CISA has confirmed active exploitation of CVE-2017-15944 in the wild by adding it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on August 18, 2022, with a remediation deadline of September 8, 2022. The EPSS score of 94.2% (99.9th percentile) places this vulnerability in the top 0.1% for exploitation probability, indicating that exploitation tools are widely available and actively used. Despite being disclosed in 2017, the vulnerability continues to be exploited against unpatched PAN-OS instances, reflecting the persistence of legacy network security appliances in enterprise environments and the high value of firewall compromise for attackers.
Remediation
- Apply PAN-OS security updates immediately: Install the patches provided by Palo Alto Networks in security advisory CVE-2017-15944 to address the chained vulnerabilities in the management interface.
- Restrict management interface access: Ensure the PAN-OS web management interface is not accessible from the internet. Limit access to trusted internal networks and specific administrator IP addresses using access control lists.
- Implement multi-factor authentication for management access: Enable MFA for all administrative access to PAN-OS devices to add an additional layer of protection against unauthorized access.
- Monitor for unauthorized management interface access: Configure logging and alerting for management interface access attempts, particularly from unexpected source addresses or outside normal administrative hours.
- Conduct a comprehensive security audit of firewall configurations: Review all PAN-OS firewall configurations for signs of compromise, including unauthorized policy changes, unexpected admin accounts, or suspicious scheduled tasks that may indicate prior exploitation.
Technical Details
CVE-2017-15944 is a chain of multiple vulnerabilities in the Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS web management interface that together enable unauthenticated remote code execution. The attack chain typically involves an authentication bypass or session manipulation vulnerability that grants initial access to the management interface without valid credentials, followed by a command injection vulnerability that allows the attacker to execute arbitrary operating system commands on the firewall. The chained nature of the exploit means that each individual vulnerability may appear less severe in isolation, but together they provide a complete unauthenticated-to-root attack path. The management interface typically runs with elevated privileges on the PAN-OS device, meaning successful command injection provides system-level access to the firewall. The network-based attack vector through the web management interface means the vulnerability can be exploited remotely wherever the management interface is reachable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CVE-2017-15944 being actively exploited?
Yes. CISA has confirmed active exploitation of CVE-2017-15944 by adding it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog. The EPSS score of 94.2% (99.9th percentile) indicates near-certain exploitation activity. Despite being disclosed in 2017, this vulnerability continues to be actively exploited against unpatched PAN-OS management interfaces.
What products are affected by CVE-2017-15944?
CVE-2017-15944 affects Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS, the operating system running on Palo Alto Networks firewalls. The vulnerability targets the web management interface. Organizations should consult the Palo Alto Networks security advisory for specific affected PAN-OS versions.
How do I fix CVE-2017-15944?
Apply the security updates from Palo Alto Networks that address CVE-2017-15944. Additionally, restrict management interface access to trusted networks only, implement MFA for administrative access, and verify that the management interface is not exposed to the internet.
How severe is CVE-2017-15944?
CVE-2017-15944 is an extremely severe vulnerability with an EPSS score of 94.2% (99.9th percentile), one of the highest exploitation probabilities among all tracked CVEs. The unauthenticated remote code execution on a firewall's management interface can lead to complete compromise of the network security perimeter, making this a critical patching priority for any organization using Palo Alto Networks firewalls.
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