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Full vulnerability report · 2019
CVE-2019-1579High confidence

Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Palo Alto Networks · PAN-OS

8.1HighCVSS 3.1
Recommended action
Mitigate now

CISA confirms exploitation in the wild and lists 2022-07-10 as the remediation due date.

Mitigation available
R
Operational reassessment

Published severity in operational context

Open reassessment dashboard →
Published severityHighOperational priority:Critical, raised one band.upgradedsince 10 Jan 2022

Evidence used

  • CISA confirms exploitation in the wild.
  • A structured source references public exploit or proof-of-concept material.
  • The selected CVSS metric records a network-reachable, unauthenticated path with no user interaction.
  • EPSS is 46.24% for the current model date.

Compensating controls

  • Apply the linked authoritative mitigation while planning the permanent fix.
  • Restrict the affected network interface to trusted sources where business-safe.
  • Increase monitoring for the attack path and post-exploitation behaviour described in the report.

Verification

  1. Confirm that the asset runs Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS and falls inside the recorded affected range.
  2. Recheck the vendor advisory before scheduling a change because no verified fixed version is currently retained.
  3. Validate exposure, authentication requirements and compensating controls in the actual environment.
  4. Reopen this reassessment when CVSS, KEV, EPSS, exploit evidence or remediation changes.
Mitigation target: Within 3 daysRemediation target: Within 90 days

This automated reassessment organises public evidence. It does not know asset exposure, business impact or control effectiveness and does not replace CVSS or a human risk decision.

Optional official sources

National CERT insights
?CERT means Computer Emergency Response Team; CSIRT is the closely related term Computer Security Incident Response Team.

Choose official national sources for this report. Each advisory shows its original language. Your selection is remembered on this device and included in shared links.

Official European source

ENISA European Vulnerability Database

Official EUVD identifiers, advisory evidence and known-exploited context. Missing fields are not treated as evidence of low risk.

1 current
ENISA EUVD identifier

EUVD-2019-10136

CISA KEV mirrored by ENISA

Remote Code Execution in PAN-OS 7.1.18 and earlier, PAN-OS 8.0.11-h1 and earlier, and PAN-OS 8.1.2 and earlier with GlobalProtect Portal or GlobalProtect Gateway Interface enabled may allow an unauthenticated remote attacker to execute arbitrary code.

EUVD state
Present in the current official mapping
Known exploitation
Recorded by ENISA since 10 Jan 2022. Evidence sources: cisa_kev.
ENISA score
8.1 · CVSS 3.1
Advisory evidence
No linked advisory details stored yet
Recommended actionMitigate now

CISA confirms exploitation in the wild and lists 2022-07-10 as the remediation due date.

Mitigation available
01

What, why and how

Remote Code Execution in PAN-OS with GlobalProtect Portal or GlobalProtect Gateway Interface enabled.

What

Remote Code Execution in PAN-OS with GlobalProtect Portal or GlobalProtect Gateway Interface enabled.

Why

The product uses a function that accepts a format string as an argument, but the format string originates from an external source.

How

An attacker operating through a network path may attempt exploitation without authentication or user interaction. If successful, the issue may execute code or commands in the affected security context.

What

Remote Code Execution in PAN-OS with GlobalProtect Portal or GlobalProtect Gateway Interface enabled.

Why

The product uses a function that accepts a format string as an argument, but the format string originates from an external source.

How

An attacker operating through a network path may attempt exploitation without authentication or user interaction. If successful, the issue may execute code or commands in the affected security context.

02

Exploit reality and attack path

CVSS severity, EPSS forecast probability, public exploit material and CISA-confirmed exploitation are separate signals.

Observed exploitation
?Confirmed exploitation and public exploit material are separate signals. Attacks can occur without public proof-of-concept or exploit code.
Confirmed in the wild

CISA added this CVE to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue on 2022-01-10. Known ransomware campaign use is recorded.

Public PoC / exploit material
?Confirmed exploitation and public exploit material are separate signals. Attacks can occur without public proof-of-concept or exploit code.
Reference recorded

A structured CVE source labels at least one public reference as exploit material. BlackTree has not independently validated that it is safe, reliable or weaponised.

Likely attack path
a network path → Use of Externally-Controlled Format String → execute code or commands in the affected security context
Attack surface
Network
Privileges required
None: unauthenticated exploitation is possible
User interaction
None
Attack complexity
High: exploitation depends on specific conditions
Security boundary
Unchanged: impact remains within the vulnerable component's security authority
Weakness
?CWE means Common Weakness Enumeration: a standard category for the underlying weakness.
CWE-134 ↗

CWE-134: Use of Externally-Controlled Format String. The product uses a function that accepts a format string as an argument, but the format string originates from an external source.

CVSS vector
?CVSS means Common Vulnerability Scoring System. The vector records the metric values used to calculate technical severity.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Common Vulnerability Scoring System 3.1: the compact vector below is decoded into plain language.

AVNetworkAttack vector: The vulnerable component can be reached over a network.ACHighAttack complexity: Successful exploitation depends on specific conditions outside the attacker's direct control.PRNonePrivileges required: The attacker does not need an account or existing privileges.UINoneUser interaction: No action by another user is required.SUnchangedScope: The security impact remains within the vulnerable component's authority.CHighConfidentiality impact: A successful attack can cause a major loss.IHighIntegrity impact: A successful attack can cause a major loss.AHighAvailability impact: A successful attack can cause a major loss.
Post-exploitation / living off the land
After compromise, an attacker may use built-in shells, scripting engines, scheduled tasks and native network utilities for discovery, persistence or movement. This is a plausible LoTL path, not evidence that it has occurred for every attack.
NetworkUnauthenticatedRemote code executionCWE-134CISA KEVPublic exploit reference
A

Official authority intelligence

Only matched European and national findings are included. Language selectors and unavailable sources are omitted.

ENISA EUVD · EUVD-2019-10136Known-exploited evidence recorded

Remote Code Execution in PAN-OS 7.1.18 and earlier, PAN-OS 8.0.11-h1 and earlier, and PAN-OS 8.1.2 and earlier with GlobalProtect Portal or GlobalProtect Gateway Interface enabled may allow an unauthenticated remote attacker to execute arbitrary code.

Official EUVD record ↗
Canadian Centre for Cyber Security · English · AL19-016Active exploitation of VPN vulnerabilities

The purpose of this update is to provide further information, including an ‘Indication of a Compromise’ section under each VPN product as well as a ‘Suggested Action’ section with more general methods of mitigating a possible compromise. This Alert is intended for IT professionals and managers of notified organizations. Recipients of this information may redistribute it within their respective organizations.

Official advisory ↗
Canadian Centre for Cyber Security · English · AV19-157Palo Alto Networks security advisory

On 22 July 2019 it was publicly disclosed that there is a vulnerability affecting some Palo Alto Networks products. Tracked as CVE-2019-1579, the vulnerability lies with the PAN-OS software, which in turn affects the GlobalProtect Portal and GlobalProtect Gateway products. The vulnerability could allow a remote, unauthenticated actor to send specially-crafted packets to an affected device and execute arbitrary code. The affected versions of PAN-OS include: https://securityadvisories.paloaltonetworks.com/Home/Detail/158

Official advisory ↗
CERT-FR · French · CERTFR-2019-AVI-350Vulnérabilité dans Palo Alto PAN-OS

Une vulnérabilité a été découverte dans Palo Alto PAN-OS. Elle permet à un attaquant de provoquer une exécution de code arbitraire à distance.

Official advisory ↗
JVN iPedia · Japanese · JVNDB-2019-006592PAN-OS における書式文字列に関する脆弱性

PAN-OS には、書式文字列に関する脆弱性が存在します。

Official advisory ↗
KISA KrCERT/CC · Korean · KNVD-5049VPN 제품 취약점 보안 업데이트 권고

팔로알토의 GlobalProtect portal 및 Gateway에서 파라미터에 대한 검증이 미흡하여 발생하는 원격코드 실행 취약점(CVE-2019-1579) [1]

Official advisory ↗
03

Patch and workaround

Operational remediation based on structured source evidence.

Status
?Patch availability is based on structured fixed-version fields and authoritative update references. If no fix is verified, check the vendor advisory before making a change.
Mitigation available
Affected
Palo Alto Networks GlobalProtect Portal/Gateway Interface: PAN-OS 7.1.18 and earlier, PAN-OS 8.0.11 and earlier, and PAN-OS 8.1.2 and earlier releases
Fixed
No fixed version is explicitly recorded in the structured CVE data.
Action
The Cyber Centre encourages users and administrators to review the Palo Alto Networks bulletin and apply the necessary updates:
Workaround
No verified workaround is recorded. If business-safe, reduce exposure to the affected interface and allow only trusted sources until authoritative guidance is available.
04

Evidence and provenance

Published 19 Jul 2019 · Last source change 2 Oct 2026, 03:55 UTC · CWE-134 · Use of Externally-Controlled Format String

CVE recordCVE.org · 5.2
CVSS sourceNIST NVD
EPSS source
?The date BlackTree first stored a score for this CVE from the daily FIRST EPSS feed.
FIRST · tracked since 2026-09-01
European sourceENISA EUVD · EUVD-2019-10136
Product sourceCISA KEV
Remediation sourceCVE/CNA references
CWE sourceCISA ADP
NVD statusNVD enriched

Core structured fields are present and their contributing authorities are shown above.

Material change intelligence

What changed after publication

View recent updates ↗
  1. Vendor guidanceAuthoritative vendor guidance changed: removed remediation: cyber.gc.ca/palo-alto-networks-security-advisory-0.
    Before
    remediation: cyber.gc.ca/palo-alto-networks-security-advisory-0 · vendor advisory: security.paloaltonetworks.com/CVE-2019-1579
    After
    vendor advisory: security.paloaltonetworks.com/CVE-2019-1579
    security.paloaltonetworks.com ↗
  2. Remediation statusRemediation status changed from Mitigation available to Awaiting fix.
    Before
    Mitigation available
    After
    Awaiting fix
    security.paloaltonetworks.com ↗
  3. Vendor guidanceAuthoritative vendor guidance changed: removed remediation: cyber.gc.ca/palo-alto-networks-security-advisory-0.
    Before
    remediation: cyber.gc.ca/palo-alto-networks-security-advisory-0 · vendor advisory: security.paloaltonetworks.com/CVE-2019-1579
    After
    vendor advisory: security.paloaltonetworks.com/CVE-2019-1579
    security.paloaltonetworks.com ↗
  4. Remediation statusRemediation status changed from Mitigation available to Awaiting fix.
    Before
    Mitigation available
    After
    Awaiting fix
    security.paloaltonetworks.com ↗
  5. ENISA known-exploited stateENISA EUVD now records this CVE in its known-exploited dataset.
    Before
    not listed in ENISA EUVD known-exploited dataset
    After
    listed in ENISA EUVD known-exploited dataset (EUVD-2019-10136)
    ENISA EUVD ↗
  6. ENISA EUVD mappingEUVD-2019-10136 was added to the official ENISA EUVD mapping for this CVE.
    Before
    not recorded
    After
    {"euvdId":"EUVD-2019-10136"}
    ENISA EUVD ↗
  7. Vendor guidanceAuthoritative vendor guidance changed: removed remediation: cyber.gc.ca/palo-alto-networks-security-advisory-0.
    Before
    remediation: cyber.gc.ca/palo-alto-networks-security-advisory-0 · vendor advisory: security.paloaltonetworks.com/CVE-2019-1579
    After
    vendor advisory: security.paloaltonetworks.com/CVE-2019-1579
    security.paloaltonetworks.com ↗
  8. Remediation statusRemediation status changed from Mitigation available to Awaiting fix.
    Before
    Mitigation available
    After
    Awaiting fix
    security.paloaltonetworks.com ↗
  9. Affected versionsThe structured affected or fixed version information changed.
    Before
    PAN-OS 7.1.18 and earlier, PAN-OS 8.0.11 and earlier, and PAN-OS 8.1.2 and earlier releases · Fixed: No fixed version is explicitly recorded in the structured CVE data.
    After
    Palo Alto Networks GlobalProtect Portal/Gateway Interface: PAN-OS 7.1.18 and earlier, PAN-OS 8.0.11 and earlier, and PAN-OS 8.1.2 and earlier releases · Fixed: No fixed version is explicitly recorded in the structured CVE data.
    CNA ↗
  10. Vendor guidanceAuthoritative vendor guidance changed: added vendor advisory: security.paloaltonetworks.com/CVE-2019-1579.
    Before
    no authoritative guidance recorded
    After
    vendor advisory: security.paloaltonetworks.com/CVE-2019-1579
    security.paloaltonetworks.com ↗
  11. Public exploit evidencePublic exploit evidence changed from No public exploit to Public exploit reference.
    Before
    No public exploit
    After
    Public exploit reference
    devco.re ↗
  12. CVSS scoreCVSS scoring authority changed from CISA ADP to NIST NVD; the displayed base score remained 8.1.
    Before
    8.1 (CVSS 3.1 · CISA ADP · CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H)
    After
    8.1 (CVSS 3.1 · NIST NVD · CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H)
    NIST NVD ↗
  13. Catalogue recordCVE added to the BlackTree catalogue.
    CNA ↗
  14. Remediation statusRemediation status changed from Awaiting fix to Mitigation available.
    Before
    Awaiting fix
    After
    Mitigation available
    Canadian Centre for Cyber Security ↗
Material fields only · duplicate refreshes suppressed · history retained for the configured operational retention period
CVE published
Added to CISA KEV
Remediation guidance recorded
ENISA EUVD · EUVD-2019-10136↗Canadian Centre for Cyber Security remediation guidance↗CISA KEV record↗Vendor advisory↗CVE authority or vendor reference↗Public exploit reference↗Official CVE record (CNA and ADP data)↗NVD record↗
Technical terms and abbreviations used in this report
CVE
Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures: the public identifier for one disclosed vulnerability.
CVSS
Common Vulnerability Scoring System: a technical severity framework; it is not patching priority by itself.
EPSS
Exploit Prediction Scoring System: FIRST's estimate of the probability that exploitation activity will be observed in the next 30 days; it is a forecast, not confirmation.
CWE
Common Weakness Enumeration: the standard category describing the underlying software or hardware weakness.
CNA
CVE Numbering Authority: an organisation authorised to assign and publish CVE records.
CISA ADP
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Authorized Data Publisher: structured enrichment added to a CVE record.
NVD
National Vulnerability Database: NIST's enrichment service for CVE records.
CERT / CSIRT
A computer security incident response team that publishes warnings or coordinates incident response.
PoC
Proof of concept: public material that demonstrates or helps reproduce exploitation.
CSAF
Common Security Advisory Framework: a machine-readable format for security advisories.
LoTL
Living off the land: abuse of legitimate tools or system functions during an attack.
Free version - for non-commercial use only.CVE-2019-1579 · cve.blacktree.nl