CVE-2020-2049

Cortex XDR Agent: Improper control of loaded DLL leads to local privilege escalation

Published Dec 9, 2020 CVSS 3.1 · 7.8 High EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
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.

Remediation

Vendor Solution

Cortex XDR Agent content update version 150 and all later content update versions resolve this issue for Cortex XDR Agent 7.1 and Cortex XDR Agent 7.2 versions. Cortex XDR Agent 6.1 and Cortex XDR Agent 7.0 are not impacted with the latest content update. Content updates are automatically applied for the agent. A Cortex XDR Agent version upgrade is not required to resolve this issue.


Vendor Workaround

This issue is mitigated by preventing local authenticated Windows users from creating files in the Windows root directory such as C:\.

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
EUVD EUVD EUVD-2020-22075 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.
History

No history.

Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
palo_alto
Published
Updated
Sep 17, 2024, 2:53 AM
Reserved
Dec 4, 2019, 12:00 AM
Status
Modified
Published
Dec 9, 2020, 6:15 PM
Modified
Jun 17, 2026, 3:11 AM