CVE-2020-1979Network attack vector

Remote code execution via logd format string

Published Mar 11, 2020 · Updated Sep 17, 2024

Format-string injection in PAN-OS logd on Panorama before 8.1.13 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code. The log daemon processes externally controlled data as a format string, but Palo Alto Networks does not disclose the affected function or input field. Exploitation requires knowledge of registered firewall devices and access to Panorama management interfaces; success bypasses the restricted shell and escalates privileges.

CVSS severity8.1
High
EPSS probability1.00%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Format-string injection in PAN-OS logd on Panorama before 8.1.13 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code. The log daemon processes externally controlled data as a format string, but Palo Alto Networks does not disclose the affected function or input field. Exploitation requires knowledge of registered firewall devices and access to Panorama management interfaces; success bypasses the restricted shell and escalates privileges.

The record

CVE
CVE-2020-1979
Published
Mar 11, 2020
Updated
Sep 17, 2024
Vendor
Palo Alto Networks
Product
PAN-OS
Classifications
CWE-134, T1068
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Mar 11, 2020CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Sep 17, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=8.1 <8.1.13 changes=[{"at":"8.1.13","status":"unaffected"}]

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Palo Alto Networks · PAN-OSversion=8.1 <8.1.13 changes=[{"at":"8.1.13","status":"unaffected"}]

Published CVSS scores

7.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
4.6NIST NVDAV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P
8.1Palo Alto NetworksCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-134Use of Externally-Controlled Format String
T1068Exploitation for Privilege Escalation

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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