CVE-2022-0016 GlobalProtect App: Privilege Escalation Vulnerability When Using Connect Before Logon

CVE-2022-0016 GlobalProtect App: Privilege Escalation Vulnerability When Using Connect Before Logon

Description

An improper handling of exceptional conditions vulnerability exists within the Connect Before Logon feature of the Palo Alto Networks GlobalProtect app that enables a local attacker to escalate to SYSTEM or root privileges when authenticating with Connect Before Logon under certain circumstances.

This issue impacts GlobalProtect app 5.2 versions earlier than GlobalProtect app 5.2.9 on Windows and MacOS.

This issue does not affect the GlobalProtect app on other platforms.

Product Status

Required Configuration for Exposure

This issue is applicable only to devices configured to use the GlobalProtect Connect Before Logon feature.

Severity: HIGH

CVSSv3.1 Base Score: 7.4 (CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H)

Exploitation Status

Palo Alto Networks is not aware of any malicious exploitation of this issue.

Weakness Type

CWE-703 Improper Check or Handling of Exceptional Conditions

Solution

This issue is fixed in GlobalProtect app 5.2.9 on Windows and MacOS, and all later GlobalProtect app versions.

Workarounds and Mitigations

There are no known workarounds for this issue.

Acknowledgments

Timeline