CVE-2021-3041

Cortex XDR Agent: Improper control of user-controlled file leads to local privilege escalation

Published Jun 10, 2021 CVSS 3.1 · 7.8 High EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
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.

Remediation

Vendor Solution

This issue is fixed in Cortex XDR agent 5.0.11, Cortex XDR agent 6.1.8, Cortex XDR agent 7.2.3, and all later Cortex XDR agent versions. Content updates are required to resolve this issue and are automatically applied for the agent.


Vendor Workaround

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.

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
EUVD EUVD EUVD-2021-26393 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.
History

No history.

Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
palo_alto
Published
Updated
Sep 16, 2024, 10:01 PM
Reserved
Jan 6, 2021, 12:00 AM
Status
Modified
Published
Jun 10, 2021, 1:15 PM
Modified
Jun 17, 2026, 4:04 AM