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TI-2021-02179 Aliases CVE-2021-3041GHSA-gvxw-2m7p-wc8h

Cortex XDR Agent: Improper control of user-controlled file leads to local privilege escalation

Priority LOW 34CWE-427Published · Updated

Key facts

Attack vector
Local
Privileges required
Low
User interaction
None
Attack complexity
Low
Impact type
Code execution
Confidentiality · integrity · availability
High · High · High
Fix status
Fixed

Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · CNA. Fix status from CNA. Impact type from CWE-427.

Summary

A local privilege escalation vulnerability exists in the Palo Alto Networks Cortex XDR agent on Windows platforms that enables an authenticated local Windows user to execute programs with SYSTEM privileges. This requires the user to have the privilege to create files in the Windows root directory or to manipulate key registry values. This issue impacts: Cortex XDR agent 5.0 versions earlier than Cortex XDR agent 5.0.11; Cortex XDR agent 6.1 versions earlier than Cortex XDR agent 6.1.8; Cortex XDR agent 7.2 versions earlier than Cortex XDR agent 7.2.3; All versions of Cortex XDR agent 7.2 without content update release 171 or a later version.

Why it matters now

EPSS 0.00248 16th percentileScored 2026-11-08
Fix Fixed Cortex XDR Agent (Palo Alto Networks): 5.0.11, 6.1.8, 7.2.3 or without content update 171 or later

SSVC decision points

Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.

Affected products

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed inStatusSource
Palo Alto NetworksCortex XDR Agent5.0 to before 5.0.11; 6.1 to before 6.1.8; 7.2 to before 7.2.3 or without content update 171 or later5.0.11, 6.1.8, 7.2.3 or without content update 171 or laterPatch availableCNA
  • Cortex XDR Agent VendorPalo Alto Networks Affected 5.0 to before 5.0.11; 6.1 to before 6.1.8; 7.2 to before 7.2.3 or without content update 171 or later Fixed in 5.0.11, 6.1.8, 7.2.3 or without content update 171 or later Patch available CNA

CPE configurations NVD · 2

CPEVersionsRoleVendor
cpe:2.3:a:paloaltonetworks:cortex_xdr_agent:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*5.0 to before 5.0.11; 6.1 to before 6.1.8; 7.2 to before 7.2.3VulnerableCyberArk Software, a Palo Alto Networks Company
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*not specified by NVDRunning onMicrosoft
  • cpe:2.3:a:paloaltonetworks:cortex_xdr_agent:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 5.0 to before 5.0.11; 6.1 to before 6.1.8; 7.2 to before 7.2.3 Vulnerable ·CyberArk Software, a Palo Alto Networks Company
  • cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Running on ·Microsoft

Remediation

  • Fix · CNA Cortex XDR Agent (Palo Alto Networks) Fixed in 5.0.11, 6.1.8, 7.2.3 or without content update 171 or later

Timeline

  1. 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2021-3041
  2. 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-gvxw-2m7p-wc8h

References

Advisory 1

  • 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
See all 367 →

Sources

This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences