CVE-2024-5921Public exploit

Elevated code execution via rogue portal certificates

Published Nov 27, 2024 · Updated Feb 20, 2025

Improper certificate validation in Palo Alto Networks GlobalProtect App allows attackers to execute elevated code via a rogue VPN portal. The client trusts a portal-supplied root CA, then PanGPS accepts an update signed under that CA when its signer name matches an expected value. A same-subnet attacker who influences DNS traffic, or a local non-administrative user, can redirect the client; demonstrated execution reaches SYSTEM on Windows and root on macOS.

CVSS severityUnavailable
Unscored
EPSS probability1.46%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Improper certificate validation in Palo Alto Networks GlobalProtect App allows attackers to execute elevated code via a rogue VPN portal. The client trusts a portal-supplied root CA, then PanGPS accepts an update signed under that CA when its signer name matches an expected value. A same-subnet attacker who influences DNS traffic, or a local non-administrative user, can redirect the client; demonstrated execution reaches SYSTEM on Windows and root on macOS.

The record

CVE
CVE-2024-5921
Published
Nov 27, 2024
Updated
Feb 20, 2025
Vendor
Palo Alto Networks
Product
GlobalProtect App
Classifications
CWE-295, CAPEC-233, T1553.004
Attack vector
adjacent
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Nov 27, 2024CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Feb 20, 2025Record 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=6.1.0
  2. Affected versionversion=6.1.0 <6.1.6
  3. Affected versionversion=6.1.0 <6.1.7 changes=[{"at":"6.1.7","status":"unaffected"}]
  4. Affected versionversion=6.2.0 <6.2.1-c31 changes=[{"at":"6.2.1-c31","status":"unaffected"}]
  5. Affected versionversion=6.2.0 <6.2.6-c857 changes=[{"at":"6.2.6-c857","status":"unaffected"}]
  6. Affected versionversion=6.2.0 <6.2.6 changes=[{"at":"6.2.6","status":"unaffected"}]
  7. Affected versionversion=6.3.0 <6.3.2 changes=[{"at":"6.3.2","status":"unaffected"}]

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectoradjacent
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Palo Alto Networks · GlobalProtect Appversion=6.1.0; version=6.1.0 <6.1.6; version=6.1.0 <6.1.7 changes=[{"at":"6.1.7","status":"unaffected"}]; version=6.2.0 <6.2.1-c31 changes=[{"at":"6.2.1-c31","status":"unaffected"}]; version=6.2.0 <6.2.6-c857 changes=[{"at":"6.2.6-c857","status":"unaffected"}]; version=6.2.0 <6.2.6 changes=[{"at":"6.2.6","status":"unaffected"}]; version=6.3.0 <6.3.2 changes=[{"at":"6.3.2","status":"unaffected"}]

Published CVSS scores

5.6Palo Alto NetworksCVSS:4.0/AV:A/AC:L/AT:P/PR:N/UI:P/VC:N/VI:H/VA:N/SC:H/SI:H/SA:H/E:P/AU:N/R:U/V:D/RE:M/U:Amber
5.6Palo Alto NetworksCVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:N/VC:N/VI:H/VA:N/SC:H/SI:H/SA:H/E:P/AU:N/R:U/V:D/RE:M/U:Amber

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)
Vectoradjacent
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-295Improper Certificate Validation
CAPEC-233Privilege Escalation
T1553.004Install Root Certificate

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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