CVE-2021-3051Network attack vector

Administrator impersonation via improper SAML signature verification

Published Sep 8, 2021 · Updated Sep 17, 2024

Improper SAML signature verification in Palo Alto Networks Cortex XSOAR allows remote attackers to act as administrators. The SAML authentication flow accepts assertions without properly verifying their cryptographic signatures; the exact validation error is undisclosed. Exploitation requires SAML integration, network access, and specific instance knowledge; vendor-hosted instances are protected.

CVSS severity8.1
High
EPSS probability0.58%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Improper SAML signature verification in Palo Alto Networks Cortex XSOAR allows remote attackers to act as administrators. The SAML authentication flow accepts assertions without properly verifying their cryptographic signatures; the exact validation error is undisclosed. Exploitation requires SAML integration, network access, and specific instance knowledge; vendor-hosted instances are protected.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-3051
Published
Sep 8, 2021
Updated
Sep 17, 2024
Vendor
Palo Alto Networks
Product
Cortex XSOAR
Classifications
CWE-347, T1606.002
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Sep 8, 2021CVE 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=5.5.0 <1578677 changes=[{"at":"1578677","status":"unaffected"}]
  2. Affected versionversion=6.0.2 <1576452 changes=[{"at":"1576452","status":"unaffected"}]
  3. Affected versionversion=6.1.0 <1578663 changes=[{"at":"1578663","status":"unaffected"}]
  4. Affected versionversion=6.2.0 <1578666 changes=[{"at":"1578666","status":"unaffected"}]

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Palo Alto Networks · Cortex XSOARversion=5.5.0 <1578677 changes=[{"at":"1578677","status":"unaffected"}]; version=6.0.2 <1576452 changes=[{"at":"1576452","status":"unaffected"}]; version=6.1.0 <1578663 changes=[{"at":"1578663","status":"unaffected"}]; version=6.2.0 <1578666 changes=[{"at":"1578666","status":"unaffected"}]

Published CVSS scores

8.1Palo Alto NetworksCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/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
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-347Improper Verification of Cryptographic Signature
T1606.002Forge Web Credentials: SAML Tokens

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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