title: PAN-OS: XML External Entity (XXE) Reference Vulnerability in the PAN-OS Web Interface
description: An improper restriction of XML external entity (XXE) reference vulnerability in the Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS web interface enables an authenticated administrator to read any arbitrary file from the file system and send a specifically crafted request to the firewall that causes the service to crash. Repeated attempts to send this request result in denial of service to all PAN-OS services by restarting the device and putting it into maintenance mode. This issue impacts: PAN-OS 8.1 versions earlier than PAN-OS 8.1.20; PAN-OS 9.0 versions earlier than PAN-OS 9.0.14; PAN-OS 9.1 versions earlier than PAN-OS 9.1.10; PAN-OS 10.0 versions earlier than PAN-OS 10.0.6. This issue does not affect Prisma Access.
problem types: CWE-611 Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference ('XXE')
affected:
{
product: PAN-OS
vendor: Palo Alto Networks
versions:
status: unaffected, version: 10.1.*
changes: [at: 9.0.14, status: unaffected], lessThan: 9.0.14, status: affected, version: 9.0, versionType: custom
changes: [at: 9.1.10, status: unaffected], lessThan: 9.1.10, status: affected, version: 9.1, versionType: custom
changes: [at: 10.0.6, status: unaffected], lessThan: 10.0.6, status: affected, version: 10.0, versionType: custom
changes: [at: 8.1.20, status: unaffected], lessThan: 8.1.20, status: affected, version: 8.1, versionType: custom
}
metrics:
cvssV3_1: [
attackComplexity: LOW
attackVector: NETWORK
availabilityImpact: HIGH
baseScore: 6.5
baseSeverity: MEDIUM
confidentialityImpact: HIGH
integrityImpact: NONE
privilegesRequired: HIGH
scope: UNCHANGED
userInteraction: NONE
vectorString: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:H
version: 3.1
]
exploits: Palo Alto Networks is not aware of any malicious attempts to exploit this vulnerability.
solutions: This issue is fixed in PAN-OS 8.1.20, PAN-OS 9.0.14, PAN-OS 9.1.10, PAN-OS 10.0.6, and all later PAN-OS versions.
workarounds: This issue requires the attacker to have authenticated access to the PAN-OS web interface. You can mitigate the impact of this issue by following best practices for securing the PAN-OS web interface. Please review the Best Practices for Securing Administrative Access in the PAN-OS technical documentation at https://docs.paloaltonetworks.com/best-practices.