CVE-2021-3041

SYSTEM code execution via uncontrolled search path

Published Jun 10, 2021 · Updated Sep 16, 2024

Privilege escalation in Palo Alto Networks Cortex XDR Agent allows local users to execute attacker-chosen programs with SYSTEM privileges. Palo Alto Networks identifies uncontrolled search-path handling of a user-controlled file but does not disclose the affected process, file name, or registry values. Exploitation requires permission to create files in the Windows root directory or manipulate key registry values, after which attacker-chosen programs run with SYSTEM privileges.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.25%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Privilege escalation in Palo Alto Networks Cortex XDR Agent allows local users to execute attacker-chosen programs with SYSTEM privileges. Palo Alto Networks identifies uncontrolled search-path handling of a user-controlled file but does not disclose the affected process, file name, or registry values. Exploitation requires permission to create files in the Windows root directory or manipulate key registry values, after which attacker-chosen programs run with SYSTEM privileges.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-3041
Published
Jun 10, 2021
Updated
Sep 16, 2024
Vendor
Palo Alto Networks
Product
Cortex XDR Agent
Classifications
CWE-427, T1574.008
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jun 10, 2021CVE 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=5.0 <5.0.11 changes=[{"at":"5.0.11","status":"unaffected"}]
  2. Affected versionversion=6.1 <6.1.8 changes=[{"at":"6.1.8","status":"unaffected"}]
  3. Affected versionversion=7.2 <7.2.3 or without content update 171 or later changes=[{"at":"7.2.3 with content update 171 or later","status":"unaffected"}]

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Palo Alto Networks · Cortex XDR Agentversion=5.0 <5.0.11 changes=[{"at":"5.0.11","status":"unaffected"}]; version=6.1 <6.1.8 changes=[{"at":"6.1.8","status":"unaffected"}]; version=7.2 <7.2.3 or without content update 171 or later changes=[{"at":"7.2.3 with content update 171 or later","status":"unaffected"}]

Published CVSS scores

7.2NISTAV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C
7.8Palo Alto NetworksCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/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-427Uncontrolled Search Path Element
T1574.008Hijack Execution Flow: Path Interception by Search Order Hijacking

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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