CVE-2021-3060Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Root command execution via crafted SCEP host identifier

Published Nov 10, 2021 · Updated Sep 16, 2024

OS command injection in the SCEP feature of PAN-OS and Prisma Access allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code as root. The /sslmgr SCEP handler accepts an attacker-controlled host-id value that a public proof of concept uses to inject OpenSSL command options, write a web shell, and load code through an OpenSSL engine. Exploitation requires network access to a GlobalProtect portal or gateway, the name of a configured SCEP profile, and the unchanged default master key; a disabled SCEP profile remains exposed.

CVSS severity8.1
High
EPSS probability33.88%
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 the SCEP feature of PAN-OS and Prisma Access allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code as root. The /sslmgr SCEP handler accepts an attacker-controlled host-id value that a public proof of concept uses to inject OpenSSL command options, write a web shell, and load code through an OpenSSL engine. Exploitation requires network access to a GlobalProtect portal or gateway, the name of a configured SCEP profile, and the unchanged default master key; a disabled SCEP profile remains exposed.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-3060
Published
Nov 10, 2021
Updated
Sep 16, 2024
Vendor
Palo Alto Networks
Product
PAN-OS
Classifications
CWE-78, T1059.004, T1190
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

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

Compare your product and version with the public record. A matching version still requires validation against your environment.

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 privilegesunauthenticated

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"}]
Palo Alto Networks · Prisma Accessversion=2.1 Innovation; version=2.1 Preferred

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 exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-78Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')
T1059.004Command and Scripting Interpreter: Unix Shell
T1190Exploit Public-Facing Application

Public exploit references

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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