CVE-2020-1980 : What You Need to Know

A shell command injection vulnerability in the PAN-OS CLI allows a local authenticated user to escape the restricted shell and escalate privileges. Learn more about the impact, technical details, mitigation steps, and solutions for CVE-2020-1980.

Understanding CVE-2020-1980

This CVE involves a critical vulnerability in the PAN-OS CLI that can be exploited by a local authenticated user to execute shell commands.

What is CVE-2020-1980?

The vulnerability allows unauthorized escalation of privileges through shell command injection in the PAN-OS CLI.

The Impact of CVE-2020-1980

The vulnerability has a high severity rating with a CVSS base score of 7.8. It could lead to remote code execution, compromising the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-1980

The technical aspects of this CVE include:

Vulnerability Description

A shell command injection flaw in the PAN-OS CLI
Enables a local authenticated user to escape restrictions and elevate privileges

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected: PAN-OS 8.1 versions earlier than 8.1.13
Not affected: PAN-OS 7.1, 9.0, and later versions

Exploitation Mechanism

Low attack complexity
Local attack vector
Low privileges required
No user interaction needed

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2020-1980, follow these steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Ensure PAN-OS is updated to version 8.1.13 or later to fix the vulnerability
Implement strict access controls to limit CLI usage

Long-Term Security Practices

Regular security audits and penetration testing
Employee training on secure coding practices

Patching and Updates

Apply patches and updates provided by Palo Alto Networks

Prepare for PAN-OS Management Interface:

Secure PAN-OS management interface following best practices
Refer to the PAN-OS 8.1 technical documentation for guidelines

For detailed information, refer to the official CVE-2020-1980 link.