CVE-2020-1990Network attack vector

Authenticated root code execution via corrupted configuration upload

Published Apr 8, 2020 · Updated Sep 17, 2024

Stack-based buffer overflow in PAN-OS 8.1 before 8.1.13 and 9.0 before 9.0.7 allows remote authenticated users to execute code as root. The management server mishandles an uploaded corrupted configuration, overflowing a stack buffer; Palo Alto Networks does not disclose the responsible function or operation. Administrative access to the management interface and configuration upload are required, and successful exploitation gives root-level code execution.

CVSS severity7.2
High
EPSS probability2.13%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Stack-based buffer overflow in PAN-OS 8.1 before 8.1.13 and 9.0 before 9.0.7 allows remote authenticated users to execute code as root. The management server mishandles an uploaded corrupted configuration, overflowing a stack buffer; Palo Alto Networks does not disclose the responsible function or operation. Administrative access to the management interface and configuration upload are required, and successful exploitation gives root-level code execution.

The record

CVE
CVE-2020-1990
Published
Apr 8, 2020
Updated
Sep 17, 2024
Vendor
Palo Alto Networks
Product
PAN-OS
Classifications
CWE-121, T1190
Attack vector
network
Privileges
admin

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Apr 8, 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"}]
  2. Affected versionversion=9.0 <9.0.7 changes=[{"at":"9.0.7","status":"unaffected"}]

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesadmin

What is affected?

Palo Alto Networks · PAN-OSversion=8.1 <8.1.13 changes=[{"at":"8.1.13","status":"unaffected"}]; version=9.0 <9.0.7 changes=[{"at":"9.0.7","status":"unaffected"}]

Published CVSS scores

7.2Palo Alto NetworksCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/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)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesadmin
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-121Stack-based Buffer Overflow
T1190Exploit Public-Facing Application

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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