CVE-2021-3056Network attack vector

Authenticated root code execution

Published Nov 10, 2021 · Updated Sep 16, 2024

Memory corruption in PAN-OS and Prisma Access allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary code as root during SAML authentication. Palo Alto Networks has not disclosed the affected function, buffer, or memory operation within the GlobalProtect Clientless VPN SAML authentication path. Only firewalls with Clientless VPN and SAML authentication enabled for the GlobalProtect Portal are exposed; successful exploitation grants root-level code execution.

CVSS severity8.8
High
EPSS probability1.54%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Memory corruption in PAN-OS and Prisma Access allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary code as root during SAML authentication. Palo Alto Networks has not disclosed the affected function, buffer, or memory operation within the GlobalProtect Clientless VPN SAML authentication path. Only firewalls with Clientless VPN and SAML authentication enabled for the GlobalProtect Portal are exposed; successful exploitation grants root-level code execution.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-3056
Published
Nov 10, 2021
Updated
Sep 16, 2024
Vendor
Palo Alto Networks
Product
PAN-OS
Classifications
CWE-120, T1190
Attack vector
network
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Nov 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=10.0 <10.0.1 changes=[{"at":"10.0.1","status":"unaffected"}]
  2. Affected versionversion=8.1 <8.1.20 changes=[{"at":"8.1.20","status":"unaffected"}]
  3. Affected versionversion=9.0 <9.0.14 changes=[{"at":"9.0.14","status":"unaffected"}]
  4. Affected versionversion=9.1 <9.1.9 changes=[{"at":"9.1.9","status":"unaffected"}]

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Palo Alto Networks · PAN-OSversion=10.0 <10.0.1 changes=[{"at":"10.0.1","status":"unaffected"}]; version=8.1 <8.1.20 changes=[{"at":"8.1.20","status":"unaffected"}]; version=9.0 <9.0.14 changes=[{"at":"9.0.14","status":"unaffected"}]; version=9.1 <9.1.9 changes=[{"at":"9.1.9","status":"unaffected"}]
Palo Alto Networks · Prisma Accessversion=2.1 Preferred

Published CVSS scores

8.8Palo Alto NetworksCVSS:3.1/AV:N/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)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-120Buffer Overflow
T1190Exploit Public-Facing Application

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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