CVE-2020-1996 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A missing authorization vulnerability in the management server component of PAN-OS Panorama allows a remote unauthenticated user to inject messages into the management server ms.log file. This vulnerability affects various PAN-OS versions and has a medium severity CVSS base score of 5.3.

Understanding CVE-2020-1996

This CVE involves a security issue in Palo Alto Networks' PAN-OS Panorama management server.

What is CVE-2020-1996?

This vulnerability enables unauthorized remote users to inject messages into the ms.log file, potentially enabling malicious activity or log manipulation.

The Impact of CVE-2020-1996

The vulnerability could be exploited to obfuscate attacks or falsify log entries, impacting the integrity of security logs.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-1996

This section delves into the specifics of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

Type: Missing Authorization (CWE-862)
Attack Vector: Network
Complexity: Low
Impact: Log file injection, resulting in potential obfuscation of attacks

Affected Systems and Versions

PAN-OS 7.1
PAN-OS 8.0
PAN-OS 8.1 versions below 8.1.14
PAN-OS 9.0 versions below 9.0.9

Exploitation Mechanism

This vulnerability can be exploited remotely with no required privileges, making it potentially dangerous for affected systems.

Mitigation and Prevention

Learn how to mitigate and prevent this vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade to PAN-OS 8.1.14, 9.0.9, or later versions.
Follow best practices for securing the PAN-OS management interface.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update PAN-OS versions to stay protected.
Implement network security measures to prevent unauthorized access.
Monitor and analyze log files for any suspicious activity.

Patching and Updates

PAN-OS 8.0 has reached end-of-life.
PAN-OS 7.1 is on extended support for critical vulnerability fixes until June 30, 2020.
Ensure all systems are regularly updated with the latest patches.