CVE-2020-2027Network attack vector

Root code execution via authd buffer overflow

Published Jun 10, 2020 · Updated Sep 17, 2024

Stack-based buffer overflow in PAN-OS 7.1, 8.0, 8.1 before 8.1.13, and 9.0 before 9.0.7 allows remote authenticated users to execute root code. The vendor identifies authd authentication-response handling as the overflow locus but has not disclosed the malformed field or failed bounds operation. Administrative authentication to the management interface is required; successful exploitation can also disrupt system processes.

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 7.1, 8.0, 8.1 before 8.1.13, and 9.0 before 9.0.7 allows remote authenticated users to execute root code. The vendor identifies authd authentication-response handling as the overflow locus but has not disclosed the malformed field or failed bounds operation. Administrative authentication to the management interface is required; successful exploitation can also disrupt system processes.

The record

CVE
CVE-2020-2027
Published
Jun 10, 2020
Updated
Sep 17, 2024
Vendor
Palo Alto Networks
Product
PAN-OS
Classifications
CWE-787, CWE-121, T1210
Attack vector
network
Privileges
admin

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jun 10, 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.*
  2. Affected versionversion=8.0.*
  3. Affected versionversion=8.1 <8.1.13 changes=[{"at":"8.1.13","status":"unaffected"}]
  4. 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=7.1.*; version=8.0.*; version=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

9.0NIST NVDAV:N/AC:L/Au:S/C:C/I:C/A:C
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-787Out-of-bounds Write
CWE-121Stack-based Buffer Overflow
T1210Exploitation of Remote Services

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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