CVE-2021-3041 json
Cortex XDR Agent: Improper control of user-controlled file leads to local privilege escalation
published 2021-06-10 5 y ago modified 2026-06-17 4 mo ago also EUVD-2021-26393
- cvss
- 7.8
- version 3.1, CNA
- cisa kev
- Not listed
- not in CISA's catalog
- epss
- 0.2%
- EPSS 0.2% chance of exploitation in 30 days, percentile 16%
- public exploits
- 0
- none known
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.
Patch / fix
- Palo Alto Networks Cortex XDR Agent 5.0.11, 6.1.8, 7.2.3 or without content update 171 or later, 7.2.3 with content update 171 or later
Exploit prediction
0.25% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 16% of all scored CVEs (FIRST EPSS, 2026-11-08).
CVSS scores
| assigned by | version | score | vector |
|---|---|---|---|
| CNA | 3.1 | 7.8 | CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H |
| NVD | 2.0 | 7.2 | AV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C |
Affected products
- Palo Alto Networks Cortex XDR Agent
Classification
- Weakness
-
- CWE-427 Uncontrolled Search Path Element
References
-
security.paloaltonetworks.com
/CVE-2021-3041
vendor-advisory
Sources
- CVE List CVE-2021-3041
- NVD CVE-2021-3041
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