CVE-2020-2032

SYSTEM execution via upgrade-time file race

Published Jun 10, 2020 · Updated Sep 17, 2024

A file race condition in Palo Alto Networks GlobalProtect App 5.0 before 5.0.10 and 5.1 before 5.1.4 allows local users to gain SYSTEM execution. Palo Alto Networks identifies a file race condition but does not disclose the affected file or the exact check-and-use sequence. Exploitation requires limited local Windows access and a concurrent app upgrade; success grants full SYSTEM execution.

CVSS severity7.0
High
EPSS probability0.22%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

A file race condition in Palo Alto Networks GlobalProtect App 5.0 before 5.0.10 and 5.1 before 5.1.4 allows local users to gain SYSTEM execution. Palo Alto Networks identifies a file race condition but does not disclose the affected file or the exact check-and-use sequence. Exploitation requires limited local Windows access and a concurrent app upgrade; success grants full SYSTEM execution.

The record

CVE
CVE-2020-2032
Published
Jun 10, 2020
Updated
Sep 17, 2024
Vendor
Palo Alto Networks
Product
GlobalProtect App
Classifications
CWE-367, T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

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=5.0 <5.0.10 changes=[{"at":"5.0.10","status":"unaffected"}]
  2. Affected versionversion=5.1 <5.1.4 changes=[{"at":"5.1.4","status":"unaffected"}]

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Palo Alto Networks · GlobalProtect Appversion=5.0 <5.0.10 changes=[{"at":"5.0.10","status":"unaffected"}]; version=5.1 <5.1.4 changes=[{"at":"5.1.4","status":"unaffected"}]

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
6.9NIST NVDAV:L/AC:M/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C

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-367Time-of-check Time-of-use (TOCTOU) Race Condition
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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