CVE-2021-3064Network attack vector

Root code execution via stack buffer overflow

Published Nov 10, 2021 · Updated Sep 17, 2024

Stack-based buffer overflow in PAN-OS 8.1 before 8.1.17 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code as root through GlobalProtect. The GlobalProtect parser places user-supplied input into a fixed-length stack location, and HTTP request smuggling exposes the vulnerable path. Exploitation requires network access to an enabled GlobalProtect portal or gateway; successful attacks can crash system processes or fully compromise the firewall.

CVSS severity9.8
Critical
EPSS probability20.11%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Stack-based buffer overflow in PAN-OS 8.1 before 8.1.17 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code as root through GlobalProtect. The GlobalProtect parser places user-supplied input into a fixed-length stack location, and HTTP request smuggling exposes the vulnerable path. Exploitation requires network access to an enabled GlobalProtect portal or gateway; successful attacks can crash system processes or fully compromise the firewall.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-3064
Published
Nov 10, 2021
Updated
Sep 17, 2024
Vendor
Palo Alto Networks
Product
PAN-OS
Classifications
CWE-121, T1190
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Nov 10, 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=8.1 <8.1.17 changes=[{"at":"8.1.17","status":"unaffected"}]

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Palo Alto Networks · PAN-OSversion=8.1 <8.1.17 changes=[{"at":"8.1.17","status":"unaffected"}]

Published CVSS scores

9.8Palo Alto NetworksCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/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.

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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-121Stack-based Buffer 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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