CVE-2020-1981

Root access via predictable temporary filename

Published Mar 11, 2020 · Updated Sep 17, 2024

Local privilege escalation in Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS 8.1 before 8.1.13 allows local users to gain root access on an appliance. Palo Alto Networks has not disclosed the affected process or how its temporary-file operation makes the filename predictable. Exploitation requires a restricted-shell bypass and low-privileged command execution, after which the attacker gains root on hardware or virtual appliances.

CVSS severity7.0
High
EPSS probability0.36%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Local privilege escalation in Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS 8.1 before 8.1.13 allows local users to gain root access on an appliance. Palo Alto Networks has not disclosed the affected process or how its temporary-file operation makes the filename predictable. Exploitation requires a restricted-shell bypass and low-privileged command execution, after which the attacker gains root on hardware or virtual appliances.

The record

CVE
CVE-2020-1981
Published
Mar 11, 2020
Updated
Sep 17, 2024
Vendor
Palo Alto Networks
Product
PAN-OS
Classifications
CWE-377, T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

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=7.1 !>= 7.1.0
  2. Affected versionversion=8.1 < 8.1.13
  3. Affected versionversion=8.1 !>= 8.1.13
  4. Affected versionversion=9.0 !>= 9.0.0
  5. Affected versionversion=9.1 !>= 9.1.0

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Palo Alto Networks · PAN-OSversion=7.1 !>= 7.1.0; version=8.1 < 8.1.13; version=8.1 !>= 8.1.13; version=9.0 !>= 9.0.0; version=9.1 !>= 9.1.0

Published CVSS scores

7.0Palo Alto NetworksCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/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 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-377Insecure Temporary File
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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