CVE-2021-3053 : Security Advisory and Response

A detailed analysis of the Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS vulnerability that allows an unauthenticated attacker to trigger a denial-of-service condition by exploiting an exceptional conditions handling flaw.

Understanding CVE-2021-3053

This vulnerability in PAN-OS impacts versions 8.1, 9.0, 9.1, and 10.0, enabling a network-based attacker to crash services by sending specially crafted traffic.

What is CVE-2021-3053?

An improper handling of exceptional conditions vulnerability in PAN-OS allows an attacker to disrupt services, impacting various versions of the software.

The Impact of CVE-2021-3053

The vulnerability leads to a denial of service for all PAN-OS services, forcing a device restart and placing it in maintenance mode.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-3053

This section covers the specifics of the vulnerability, affected systems, and how exploitation can occur.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw in PAN-OS allows unauthenticated attackers to send specific traffic that crashes services, leading to denial of service.

Affected Systems and Versions

PAN-OS 8.1, 9.0, 9.1, and 10.0 versions earlier than specific releases are vulnerable to this issue.

Exploitation Mechanism

By sending crafted traffic through the firewall, attackers can trigger repeated crashes and impair PAN-OS services.

Mitigation and Prevention

Learn how to address the CVE-2021-3053 vulnerability and protect your systems from exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

Review the provided solutions and implement the necessary updates to secure your PAN-OS installation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Maintain an up-to-date and secure network configuration to mitigate the risk of similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that your PAN-OS version is updated to at least 8.1.20, 9.0.14, 9.1.9, or 10.0.5 to address the vulnerability.