GlobalProtect App: Windows VPN kernel driver denial of service (DoS)
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Local
- Privileges required
- Low
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- Denial of service
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- None · None · High
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · CNA. Fix status from CNA. Impact type from CWE-248.
Summary
A denial-of-service (DoS) vulnerability in Palo Alto Networks GlobalProtect app on Windows systems allows a limited Windows user to send specifically-crafted input to the GlobalProtect app that results in a Windows blue screen of death (BSOD) error. This issue impacts: GlobalProtect app 5.1 versions earlier than GlobalProtect app 5.1.8; GlobalProtect app 5.2 versions earlier than GlobalProtect app 5.2.4.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palo Alto Networks | GlobalProtect App | 5.1 to before 5.1.8; 5.2 to before 5.2.4 | 5.1.8, 5.2.4 | Patch available | CNA |
- GlobalProtect App VendorPalo Alto Networks Affected 5.1 to before 5.1.8; 5.2 to before 5.2.4 Fixed in 5.1.8, 5.2.4 Patch available CNA
CPE configurations NVD · 1
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:a:paloaltonetworks:globalprotect:*:*:*:*:*:windows:*:* | 5.1.0 to before 5.1.8; 5.2.0 to before 5.2.4 | Vulnerable | CyberArk Software, a Palo Alto Networks Company |
- cpe:2.3:a:paloaltonetworks:globalprotect:*:*:*:*:*:windows:*:* Versions 5.1.0 to before 5.1.8; 5.2.0 to before 5.2.4 Vulnerable ·CyberArk Software, a Palo Alto Networks Company
Remediation
- Fix · CNA GlobalProtect App (Palo Alto Networks) Fixed in 5.1.8, 5.2.4
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2021-3038
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-9x9w-5fmf-qmhj
References
More Palo Alto Networks vulnerabilities
- TI-2024-08782 Expedition: Unauthenticated OS Command Injection Vulnerability Leads to Firewall Credential Disclosure KEVCVSS 4.0CRITICAL 9.9
- TI-2024-03172 PAN-OS: Arbitrary File Creation Leads to OS Command Injection Vulnerability in GlobalProtect KEVCVSS 3.1CRITICAL 10.0
- TI-2020-01936 PAN-OS: Authentication Bypass in SAML Authentication KEVCVSS 3.1CRITICAL 10.0
- TI-2017-11675 Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS before 6.1.19, 7.0.x before 7.0.19, 7.1.x before 7.1.14, and… KEVCVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
- TI-2026-00239 PAN-OS: Unauthenticated user initiated Buffer Overflow Vulnerability in User-ID™ Authentication Portal KEVCVSS 4.0CRITICAL 9.3
- TI-2024-08784 Expedition: SQL Injection Leads to Firewall Admin Credential Disclosure KEVCVSS 4.0CRITICAL 9.2
Sources
- CVE-2021-3038 · CVE Program
- CVE-2021-3038 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-9x9w-5fmf-qmhj · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
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