Security Digest · Vulnerability record · Known exploited
CVE-2026-0322: Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS Code Injection Vulnerability
Exploited in the wild (CISA KEV). A remote code execution (RCE) vulnerability in the management interface of Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS® software enables an authenticated attacker with network access to execute arbitrary code with root privileges on the firewall.
CISA KEV · added 2026-10-14 CVSS 8.6 High EPSS 1.2% · p68 Patch this week
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 2026-10-14, which means there is reliable evidence of exploitation in the wild. US federal agencies must remediate by 2026-10-17; treat that as the outer limit, not the target.
- EPSS 1.2%, percentile 68: FIRST’s model estimates a 1.2% chance of exploitation activity in the next 30 days, higher than 68% of all scored CVEs (moderate). EPSS is a probability, not a verdict.
- Needs an account (high (admin)). Exposure depends on who can log in.
- Editorial verdict: Patch this week. PAN-OS CVE-2026-0322: Exploited Management-Interface RCE — Patch every PAN-OS firewall and Panorama this week, and today if the management interface is reachable from the internet; the bug needs an admin login but is already being exploited.
What it is
A remote code execution (RCE) vulnerability in the management interface of Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS® software enables an authenticated attacker with network access to execute arbitrary code with root privileges on the firewall. The security risk posed by this issue is minimized by restricting access to the management interface to only trusted internal IP addresses according to our recommended best practice deployment guidelines https://live.paloaltonetworks.com/t5/community-blogs/tips-amp-tricks-how-to-secure-the-management-access-of-your-palo/ba-p/464431 . This issue is applicable to PAN-OS software on PA-Series and VM-Series firewalls and on Panorama (virtual and M-Series). Cloud NGFW and Prisma® Access are not impacted by this vulnerability.
CISA’s summary
Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS contains a code injection vulnerability that could allow an authenticated attacker with network access to execute arbitrary code with root privileges on the firewall.
Weakness type: CWE-94.
Product: Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS · Assigned by: palo_alto · Published: 2026-10-14
Affected and fixed versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions (per CVE record) |
|---|---|---|
| Palo Alto Networks | Cloud NGFW | see vendor advisory |
| Palo Alto Networks | PAN-OS | 12.2.0 < 12.2.4, 12.1.0 < 12.1.10-h2, 11.2.0 < 11.2.16, 11.1.0 < 11.1.16-h3, 10.2.0 < 10.2.18-h12 |
| Palo Alto Networks | Prisma Access | see vendor advisory |
Severity scores
| Scored by | CVSS | Score | Vector |
|---|---|---|---|
| palo_alto | 4.0 | 8.6 High | CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:H/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:A/AU:N/R:U/V:D/RE:M/U:Red |
| palo_alto | 4.0 | 8.5 High | CVSS:4.0/AV:A/AC:L/AT:N/PR:H/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:A/AU:N/R:U/V:D/RE:M/U:Red |
- 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 2026-10-14; federal due date 2026-10-17. Known ransomware use: Unknown.
- CISA required action: Apply mitigations in accordance with vendor instructions, ensuring compliance with CISA’s BOD 26-04 Prioritizing Security Updates Based on Risk (see URL in Notes) guidance and CISA’s “Forensics Triage Requirements” (see URL in Notes). Follow applicable BOD 26-04 guidance for cloud services or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable. Stakeholders are responsible for evaluating each asset's internet exposure and ensuring adherence to BOD 26-04 patching guidelines.
- CISA SSVC assessment: exploitation active, automatable no, technical impact total.
- FIRST EPSS (model of 2026-10-21): 1.21% probability of exploitation activity in the next 30 days; percentile 68.
Timeline
- — Added to CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog
- — CVE record published by palo_alto
- — erroneo.us brief: PAN-OS CVE-2026-0322: Exploited Management-Interface RCE
- — CVE record last updated
- — CISA remediation deadline for US federal agencies
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
- security.paloaltonetworks.com security.paloaltonetworks.com
Vulnerability records
- CVE.org record CVE-2026-0322 cve.org
- NVD entry CVE-2026-0322 nvd.nist.gov
Government
All exploited Palo Alto Networks vulnerabilities · Today’s Security Digest