CVE-2021-3058Network attack vector

Administrator privilege escalation via XML API command injection

Published Nov 10, 2021 · Updated Sep 16, 2024

OS command injection in PAN-OS allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary OS commands through the web interface XML API. Palo Alto Networks has not disclosed the affected XML API handler or the exact operation that fails to neutralize attacker-controlled input. Exposure requires an administrator account with XML API permission and a firewall configured to use the API; successful exploitation escalates privileges and grants arbitrary command execution.

CVSS severity8.8
High
EPSS probability1.65%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

OS command injection in PAN-OS allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary OS commands through the web interface XML API. Palo Alto Networks has not disclosed the affected XML API handler or the exact operation that fails to neutralize attacker-controlled input. Exposure requires an administrator account with XML API permission and a firewall configured to use the API; successful exploitation escalates privileges and grants arbitrary command execution.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-3058
Published
Nov 10, 2021
Updated
Sep 16, 2024
Vendor
Palo Alto Networks
Product
PAN-OS
Classifications
CWE-78, T1059
Attack vector
network
Privileges
admin

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 <10.0.8 changes=[{"at":"10.0.8","status":"unaffected"}]
  2. Affected versionversion=10.1 <10.1.3 changes=[{"at":"10.1.3","status":"unaffected"}]
  3. Affected versionversion=8.1 <8.1.20-h1 changes=[{"at":"8.1.20-h1","status":"unaffected"}]
  4. Affected versionversion=9.0 <9.0.14-h3 changes=[{"at":"9.0.14-h3","status":"unaffected"}]
  5. Affected versionversion=9.1 <9.1.11-h2 changes=[{"at":"9.1.11-h2","status":"unaffected"}]

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesadmin

What is affected?

Palo Alto Networks · PAN-OSversion=10.0 <10.0.8 changes=[{"at":"10.0.8","status":"unaffected"}]; version=10.1 <10.1.3 changes=[{"at":"10.1.3","status":"unaffected"}]; version=8.1 <8.1.20-h1 changes=[{"at":"8.1.20-h1","status":"unaffected"}]; version=9.0 <9.0.14-h3 changes=[{"at":"9.0.14-h3","status":"unaffected"}]; version=9.1 <9.1.11-h2 changes=[{"at":"9.1.11-h2","status":"unaffected"}]

Published CVSS scores

7.2NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
8.8Palo Alto NetworksCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
9.0NIST NVDAV:N/AC:L/Au:S/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)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesadmin
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-78Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')
T1059Command and Scripting Interpreter

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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