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CVE-2021-3041

Cortex XDR Agent: Improper control of user-controlled file leads to local privilege escalation

HIGH
7.8
CVSS Score
Published: June 10, 2021 at 12:33 PM UTC
Updated: June 17, 2026 at 04:04 AM UTC
1 product affected across 1 vendorCortex XDR Agent· also runs on 1 platform

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Severity
HIGH7.8
Exploit prediction
EPSS 0.2%

Description

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.

Affected

Our own answer: ranges merged, affected separated from platform-only, with confidence and review flags.

Cortex XDR Agent· Palo Alto Networks
95%
5.0 ≤ v < 5.0.116.1 ≤ v < 6.1.87.2 ≤ v < 7.2.37.2 ≤ v < 7.2.3 or without content update 171 or later5.06.17.2
Affected range stops below 5.0.11, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement
Affected range stops below 6.1.8, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement
Affected range stops below 7.2.3, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement
Affected range stops below 7.2.3 or without content update 171 or later, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement
microsoft-windows (environment)

Runs on — not affected

The affected product only carries this flaw when running on these platforms. The platforms themselves are not vulnerable.

Remediation

No guide yet

No remediation guidance has been written for this CVE yet. What the record does show:

Patch and advisory references

References (1)

x_refsource_MISCVendor Advisory
Source: [email protected]
https://security.paloaltonetworks.com/CVE-2021-3041

CVSS

7.8HIGHpalo_alto
Attack Vector
LOCAL
Complexity
LOW
Privileges
LOW
User Interaction
NONE
Scope
UNCHANGED
Confidentiality
HIGH
Integrity
HIGH
Availability
HIGH
Vector?

Quick Info

StatusMODIFIED
CWE
CWE-427

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