CVE-2024-9474: Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS Management Interface OS Command Injection Vulnerability

Should you act?

Exploited: patch now if you run it

CISA has confirmed exploitation in the wild. This signal is computed from CISA KEV, EPSS and CVSS data; it is not an editorial verdict.

• Yes, if you run Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS. CISA added this CVE to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2024-11-18, which means there is reliable evidence of exploitation in the wild. US federal agencies must remediate by 2024-12-09; treat that as the outer limit, not the target. CISA also lists it as known to be used in ransomware campaigns.
• EPSS 94.8%, percentile 99.9: FIRST’s model estimates a 94.8% chance of exploitation activity in the next 30 days, higher than 99.9% of all scored CVEs (very high). EPSS is a probability, not a verdict.
• Needs an account (high (admin)). Exposure depends on who can log in.
• Editorial verdict: Check exposure. PAN-OS Management Auth Bypass Chain (Lunar Peek) — Exploited at scale in late 2024 and patched for almost two years; if your management interface was ever internet-reachable, verify the fix and hunt for leftovers rather than assume you are clean.

What it is

A privilege escalation vulnerability in Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS software allows a PAN-OS administrator with access to the management web interface to perform actions on the firewall with root privileges. Cloud NGFW and Prisma Access are not impacted by this vulnerability.

CISA’s summary

Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS contains an OS command injection vulnerability that allows for privilege escalation through the web-based management interface for several PAN products, including firewalls and VPN concentrators.

Weakness type: CWE-78, CWE-77.

Product: Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS · Assigned by: palo_alto · Published: 2024-11-18

Affected and fixed versions

Severity scores

• Attack vector: network (remotely reachable)
• Attack complexity: low
• Attack requirements: none
• Privileges required: high (admin)
• User interaction: none

CVSS measures how bad a flaw is if exploited, not how likely exploitation is. Read it next to the exploitation data below.

Exploitation and urgency

• CISA KEV: added 2024-11-18; federal due date 2024-12-09. Known ransomware use: Known.
• CISA required action: Apply mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable. Additionally, the management interfaces for affected devices should not be exposed to untrusted networks, including the internet.
• CISA SSVC assessment: exploitation active, automatable no, technical impact total.
• FIRST EPSS (model of 2026-10-21): 94.82% probability of exploitation activity in the next 30 days; percentile 99.9.

Timeline

• 2024-11-18 — Added to CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog
• 2024-11-18 — CVE record published by palo_alto
• 2024-11-18 — erroneo.us brief: PAN-OS Management Auth Bypass Chain (Lunar Peek)
• 2024-12-09 — CISA remediation deadline for US federal agencies
• 2026-08-04 — CVE record last updated

Sources and references

Original sources first. Version and fix details should always be confirmed against the vendor or project advisory.

Vendor and project advisories, patches

1. security.paloaltonetworks.com security.paloaltonetworks.com

Vulnerability records

1. CVE.org record CVE-2024-9474 cve.org
2. NVD entry CVE-2024-9474 nvd.nist.gov

Government

1. CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog entry cisa.gov

Other references from the CVE record and advisory

1. labs.watchtowr.com labs.watchtowr.com
2. github.com github.com
3. unit42.paloaltonetworks.com unit42.paloaltonetworks.com

All exploited Palo Alto Networks vulnerabilities · Today’s Security Digest