CVE-2020-2008Network attack vector

Administrator-level root execution or arbitrary file deletion

Published May 13, 2020 · Updated Sep 16, 2024

OS command injection in PAN-OS 7.1, 8.0, and before 8.1.14 allows remote authenticated users to run commands as root or delete files. Palo Alto Networks identifies OS command injection and externally controlled filenames in the management interface but does not disclose the vulnerable function, parameter, or input-handling error. Administrator privileges and network access to that interface are required; successful use grants root execution, arbitrary system-file deletion, integrity loss, or service interruption.

CVSS severity7.2
High
EPSS probability2.76%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

OS command injection in PAN-OS 7.1, 8.0, and before 8.1.14 allows remote authenticated users to run commands as root or delete files. Palo Alto Networks identifies OS command injection and externally controlled filenames in the management interface but does not disclose the vulnerable function, parameter, or input-handling error. Administrator privileges and network access to that interface are required; successful use grants root execution, arbitrary system-file deletion, integrity loss, or service interruption.

The record

CVE
CVE-2020-2008
Published
May 13, 2020
Updated
Sep 16, 2024
Vendor
Palo Alto Networks
Product
PAN-OS
Classifications
CWE-73, CWE-78, T1059, T1222
Attack vector
network
Privileges
admin

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. May 13, 2020CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Sep 16, 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.*
  2. Affected versionversion=8.0.*
  3. Affected versionversion=8.1 <8.1.14 changes=[{"at":"8.1.14","status":"unaffected"}]

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesadmin

What is affected?

Palo Alto Networks · PAN-OSversion=7.1.*; version=8.0.*; version=8.1 <8.1.14 changes=[{"at":"8.1.14","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 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesadmin
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-73External Control of File Name or Path
CWE-78Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')
T1059Command and Scripting Interpreter
T1222File and Directory Permissions Modification

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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