Attack ChainAIDerived
Hypothetical attack flow derived from CVE metadata – not a confirmed exploit chain
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AccessObtain local low-privileged macOS session
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ExploitPlant malicious binary/library in untrusted search path
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ExecutionTrigger privileged GlobalProtect component
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ImpactExecute arbitrary commands as root
Vulnerability Assessment
| Weakness |
CWE
OWASP Top 10:2025
A08:2025 - Software or Data Integrity Failures
ASVS 5.0
V13 - Configuration Search path verification
|
| Exploitation Conditions | Exploitation requires the vulnerable GlobalProtect app (versions 6.3.0 before 6.3.3-h16 or 6.2.0 before 6.2.8-h15) to be installed specifically on macOS - the Linux, Windows, iOS, Android and Chrome OS builds are explicitly not affected, so non-macOS deployments carry no exposure. The attacker must already possess an interactive, low-privileged (non-administrative) local account on the Mac (CVSS PR:L, AV:L); no user interaction and no non-default configuration is required (UI:N, AC:L). The principal limiting factors are the mandatory local foothold and existing authenticated access, which prevent any remote or unauthenticated exploitation. |
| Impact | This is a genuine but moderate-priority local privilege escalation (CWE-426, untrusted search path) in the Palo Alto Networks GlobalProtect app on macOS only. The vendor CVSS 4.0 vector (AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H) correctly describes a locally-attackable, low-complexity flaw requiring an already-authenticated low-privileged user (PR:L) and no user interaction, yielding full confidentiality/integrity/availability compromise of the host via root execution. The score of 5.9 is tempered by the Exploit Maturity value E:U (unproven/unexploited), which is consistent with the absence of a CISA KEV listing and no public exploit code - exploitation status is 'no public exploit identified at time of analysis'. No EPSS score was provided in the input, so probabilistic exploitation likelihood cannot be quantified; this is a MISSING signal, not a low one. The local-only attack vector materially limits real-world risk: an attacker must already have an interactive foothold on the Mac. Net assessment: a credible post-compromise escalation primitive worth patching on managed macOS fleets, but not an internet-facing or wormable emergency. One cross-source discrepancy to note: the Tags list includes Google and Microsoft, yet the description explicitly states Windows, Android and Chrome OS are NOT affected - verify scope as macOS-only. |
| Exploit ScenarioDerived | A non-administrative user already logged into a macOS endpoint running a vulnerable GlobalProtect app (6.3.0 before 6.3.3-h16, or 6.2.0 before 6.2.8-h15) abuses an untrusted search path / insecure component to have their own code executed by a privileged GlobalProtect process. The result is arbitrary command execution as root from a standard user account. No public exploit code or active exploitation has been identified at time of analysis, and the CVSS requires local access with existing low-level privileges. |
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Alert meAnalysisAIv1 – Oct 15, 2026
Local privilege escalation in Palo Alto Networks GlobalProtect App versions 6.3.0 before 6.3.3-h16 and 6.2.0 before 6.2.8-h15 on macOS allows an authenticated local non-administrative user to obtain root privileges and execute arbitrary commands. The vulnerability is due to an untrusted search path (CWE-426) and requires a local foothold; no public exploit has been identified at time of analysis. Other platforms (Linux, Windows, iOS, Android, Chrome OS) are not affected.
RemediationAI
Upgrade to GlobalProtect App 6.3.3-h16 or 6.2.8-h15 (or later) on macOS as per the vendor advisory at https://security.paloaltonetworks.com/CVE-2026-0315. These versions contain the fix for the untrusted search path vulnerability. If immediate upgrade is not possible, consider removing the GlobalProtect App from macOS endpoints that do not require it, or restricting local interactive access to trusted users only, as the attack requires an existing low-privileged local account. No workaround is documented; however, monitoring for unexpected privilege escalation attempts (e.g., unusual child processes of the GlobalProtect App) may help detect exploitation. Other platforms require no action.
Affected VersionsENISA
Affected Packages
Source: OSV (Open Source Vulnerabilities)
Affects your stack
Affects 1 package in euvd
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Technical ContextAI · show details
The GlobalProtect App is a VPN client from Palo Alto Networks. The vulnerability stems from CWE-426 (Untrusted Search Path), where the application or a privileged helper component loads a library or executable from a location that is writable by a low-privileged user. On macOS, when the app runs a privileged operation, it may search the current working directory or an environment-controlled path for a binary or dylib, allowing an attacker to place a malicious file that gets executed with root privileges. The CVSS 4.0 vector (AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H) indicates that a local authenticated user with no special configuration can fully compromise confidentiality, integrity, and availability, while scope remains unchanged. The assessed CVSS 3.1 vector (AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H) aligns with this, confirming a moderate-severity local privilege escalation.
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Severity by source
CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:U/AU:N/R:U/V:D/RE:M/U:Amber
Local privilege escalation by an authenticated low-privileged user (AV:L, PR:L) with no interaction (UI:N) yielding full root compromise (C:H/I:H/A:H), scope unchanged.
Primary rating from Vendor (palo_alto).
CVSS VectorVendor: palo_alto
Lifecycle Timeline
2DescriptionCVE.org
A local privilege escalation vulnerability in the Palo Alto Networks GlobalProtect™ app enables a local user to escalate their privileges to root on macOS. This enables a non-administrative user to execute arbitrary commands with administrative privileges.
The GlobalProtect app on Linux, Windows, iOS, Android and Chrome OS is not affected by this vulnerability.
Threat Intelligence Overview
How this decision was reached
The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.
What every action level means
SSVC AssessmentENISA
Priority Score
Attack Technique
Privilege escalation occurs when an attacker leverages flaws in access control mechanisms to gain permissions beyond what they were originally granted.
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GHSA-387w-hmfw-94vw
NVD
CVE.org
EPSS
Vulnrichment
Exploit-DB