Information Disclosure in Palo Alto PAN-OS Management Interface

Executive Summary

CVE-2026-0281 is an information disclosure vulnerability in Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS software. It allows an unauthenticated attacker with network access to the management web interface to obtain web session tokens, but only if a legitimate user first clicks on a malicious link provided by the attacker.

This vulnerability affects PAN-OS software on PA-Series and VM-Series firewalls, as well as Panorama (both virtual and M-Series). Cloud NGFW and Prisma Access are not impacted.

The risk is minimized by restricting management interface access to trusted internal IP addresses, following Palo Alto Networks' recommended best practice deployment guidelines.

Useful 0 Not Useful 0

Compliance Impact

This vulnerability involves information disclosure through web session tokens, which could potentially expose sensitive session data if exploited.

However, the risk is minimized by restricting access to the management web interface to trusted internal IP addresses, following Palo Alto Networks' best practice deployment guidelines.

There is no direct mention in the provided information about specific impacts on compliance with standards such as GDPR or HIPAA.

Organizations subject to these regulations should consider the potential risk of session token disclosure as it may affect confidentiality requirements, and apply recommended mitigations and patches accordingly.

Useful 0 Not Useful 0

Impact Analysis

This vulnerability can allow an unauthenticated attacker to obtain web session tokens from the management web interface if a legitimate user clicks on a malicious link. This could potentially lead to unauthorized access to management sessions.

However, the overall security risk is considered low, especially if access to the management interface is properly restricted to trusted internal IP addresses as recommended.

No malicious exploitation of this vulnerability has been observed by Palo Alto Networks.

Useful 0 Not Useful 0

Detection Guidance

This vulnerability involves an unauthenticated attacker obtaining web session tokens via the management web interface after a legitimate user clicks a malicious link. Detection would focus on monitoring access to the management web interface and unusual session token activity.

No specific detection commands or tools are provided in the available information.

Useful 0 Not Useful 0

Mitigation Strategies

Immediate mitigation steps include restricting access to the management web interface to only trusted internal IP addresses, following Palo Alto Networks' recommended best practice deployment guidelines.

Upgrading affected PAN-OS software to fixed versions is strongly recommended. The fixed versions are PAN-OS 12.1.8 or later, 11.2.13 or later, or 11.1.16 or later. For unsupported versions, upgrade to a supported fixed version.

Useful 0 Not Useful 0