CVE-2020-2021KEV · OVERDUECWE-347

PAN-OS: Authentication Bypass in SAML Authentication

Critical · published June 29, 2020

Patch now

Confirmed exploited, and the score agrees

CVSS calls it critical at 10.0. It is confirmed in active exploitation. It sits in the 91.2th percentile for exploit probability.

1653
days past CISA
deadline
CVSS v3.1
10.0
EPSS
4%
Percentile
91.2
In the wild
Confirmed
What it is

🚨 A simple checkbox unchecked can unleash chaos! When the 'Validate Identity Provider Certificate' option is disabled in SAML authentication, an unauthenticated attacker with network access can strut right in like they own the place. 🔥 Think of it like a hotel that lets anyone with a room key wander through without checking their identity — no security at the front desk means anyone could access restricted areas, potentially making a mess of things. In the worst-case scenario, this vulnerability allows an attacker to log in as an administrator on PAN-OS or Panorama web interfaces, leading to unauthorized administrative actions. This could result in complete control over sensitive resources, putting your organization in a perilous position. Imagine the fallout of an attacker running amok in your network!

Put simply

Think of it like a hotel that lets anyone with a room key wander through without checking their identity — no security at the front desk means anyone could access restricted areas, potentially making a mess of things. This vulnerability arises because the 'Validate Identity Provider Certificate' option is disabled, causing improper verification of signatures in SAML authentication. An attacker with network access to the vulnerable server can exploit this flaw to access protected resources like GlobalProtect and PAN-OS interfaces without authentication.

What to do

In the worst-case scenario, this vulnerability allows an attacker to log in as an administrator on PAN-OS or Panorama web interfaces, leading to unauthorized administrative actions. This could result in complete control over sensitive resources, putting your organization in a perilous position. Imagine the fallout of an attacker running amok in your network! To bolster your defenses, make sure to enable the 'Validate Identity Provider Certificate' option in your SAML Identity Provider Server Profile immediately. Additionally, update affected PAN-OS versions to at least 9.1.3, 9.0.9, or 8.1.15. Regularly check your configurations to keep your security tight. 🛡️ You've got this! By following these steps, you can secure your network and keep those digital intruders at bay. 🔒

The record
Technical detail
CVSS v3.1
10.0 · CRITICAL
Vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
CVSS v4.0
Not supplied
EPSS
0.04362 · 91.2th percentile
Weakness
CWE-347 · Improper Verification of Cryptographic Signature
Published
2020-06-29T15:10Z
KEV added
2022-03-25 · due 2022-04-15
EPSS history
Timeline
  • 25 MAR 00:00Z
    Added to CISA KEV — remediate by Apr 15
    kev
  • 29 JUN 15:10Z
    PAN-OS: Authentication Bypass in SAML Authentication
    cvelistv5