CVE-2022-0012

Local arbitrary file deletion via link following

Published Jan 12, 2022 · Updated Sep 17, 2024

Improper link resolution in Palo Alto Networks Cortex XDR Agent on Windows allows local users to delete arbitrary system files. The agent resolves links incorrectly before file access, but Palo Alto Networks has not disclosed the affected file-handling component or operation. Low-privileged local access is required; affected 5.0, 6.1, 7.2, and 7.3 branches permit integrity loss or service interruption.

CVSS severity6.1
Medium
EPSS probability0.24%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Improper link resolution in Palo Alto Networks Cortex XDR Agent on Windows allows local users to delete arbitrary system files. The agent resolves links incorrectly before file access, but Palo Alto Networks has not disclosed the affected file-handling component or operation. Low-privileged local access is required; affected 5.0, 6.1, 7.2, and 7.3 branches permit integrity loss or service interruption.

The record

CVE
CVE-2022-0012
Published
Jan 12, 2022
Updated
Sep 17, 2024
Vendor
Palo Alto Networks
Product
Cortex XDR Agent
Classifications
CWE-59, CAPEC-132, T1070.004
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jan 12, 2022CVE 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=5.0 <5.0.12 changes=[{"at":"5.0.12","status":"unaffected"}]
  2. Affected versionversion=6.1 <6.1.9 changes=[{"at":"6.1.9","status":"unaffected"}]
  3. Affected versionversion=7.2 <7.2.4 changes=[{"at":"7.2.4","status":"unaffected"}]
  4. Affected versionversion=7.3 <7.3.2 changes=[{"at":"7.3.2","status":"unaffected"}]

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Palo Alto Networks · Cortex XDR Agentversion=5.0 <5.0.12 changes=[{"at":"5.0.12","status":"unaffected"}]; version=6.1 <6.1.9 changes=[{"at":"6.1.9","status":"unaffected"}]; version=7.2 <7.2.4 changes=[{"at":"7.2.4","status":"unaffected"}]; version=7.3 <7.3.2 changes=[{"at":"7.3.2","status":"unaffected"}]

Published CVSS scores

3.6NIST National Vulnerability DatabaseAV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:N/I:P/A:P
6.1Palo Alto NetworksCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/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)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-59Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following')
CAPEC-132Symlink Attack
T1070.004File Deletion

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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