CVE-2020-1998 : Security Advisory and Response

An improper SAML SSO authorization vulnerability in PAN-OS mistakenly uses local linux users' permissions instead of intended SAML permissions, potentially leading to authentication bypass.

Understanding CVE-2020-1998

This vulnerability affects PAN-OS versions 7.1, 8.0, 8.1, 9.0, and 9.1, potentially allowing unauthorized resource access.

What is CVE-2020-1998?

An improper SAML SSO authorization vulnerability in PAN-OS may result in unintended access due to incorrect user permissions.

The Impact of CVE-2020-1998

The vulnerability can lead to authentication bypass and unauthorized resource access, impacting the confidentiality and integrity of systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-1998

This section provides detailed technical information about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

PAN-OS improperly uses local linux users' permissions over SAML permissions, enabling potential authentication bypass.

Affected Systems and Versions

PAN-OS 7.1 versions earlier than 7.1.26
PAN-OS 8.0 (all versions)
PAN-OS 8.1 versions earlier than 8.1.13
PAN-OS 9.0 versions earlier than 9.0.6
PAN-OS 9.1 versions earlier than 9.1.1

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability occurs when shared usernames between local linux users and SAML-enabled users result in incorrect user permissions handling.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting your systems from CVE-2020-1998 is crucial for maintaining security.

Immediate Steps to Take

Remove shared usernames between local linux users and SAML-enabled users to mitigate the impact.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly review and update user access permissions.
Implement strong access control and authentication mechanisms.
Conduct security training to educate users on best practices.

Patching and Updates

Ensure all PAN-OS versions are updated to the fixed releases: 7.1.26, 8.1.13, 9.0.6, 9.1.1, or later.