CVE-2019-1579
CVE-2019-1579 is a security flaw in Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS, the operating system on Palo Alto Networks’ firewalls. Attackers can run their own code on Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS from anywhere, without logging in. The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) added it to its catalog of flaws known to be used in attacks on 10 Jan 2022, and says ransomware gangs have used it.[1]
Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS is business software or equipment. Most families won’t have it, but attackers break into it to get inside companies, and from there to what those companies hold about their customers, patients and staff. Palo Alto Networks has published a fix or advice.
Description
CISA calls it a remote code execution in Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS. In its words: “Remote Code Execution in PAN-OS with GlobalProtect Portal or GlobalProtect Gateway Interface enabled.”[1]
The CVE record adds: “Remote Code Execution in PAN-OS 7.1.18 and earlier, PAN-OS 8.0.11-h1 and earlier, and PAN-OS 8.1.2 and earlier with GlobalProtect Portal or GlobalProtect Gateway Interface enabled may allow an unauthenticated remote attacker to execute arbitrary code.”[2]
The underlying weakness is CWE-134, in MITRE’s list of common software weaknesses.
It scores 8.1 out of 10 on the Common Vulnerability Scoring System, which rates it high, scored by NVD using CVSS 3.1.[2]
Affected versions
NVD’s record doesn’t list version ranges for it; Palo Alto Networks’s advisory has them[3]. CISA names the product as Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS.
Most families won’t have Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS; it’s for whoever looks after IT at work.
Exploitation
CISA added it to its catalog of known exploited vulnerabilities on 10 Jan 2022, 906 days after it was made public. CISA lists a flaw only when it has reliable evidence of it being exploited, and gave US federal agencies until 10 Jul 2022 to fix it.[1] CISA says ransomware gangs have used it.
FIRST’s Exploit Prediction Scoring System, which estimates how likely a flaw is to be used in attacks in the next 30 days from what it sees across the internet, puts it at 44%. That’s in the top 2% of the flaws it scores.[4]
CISA assesses it as not automatable: each attack takes some work.
CISA doesn’t say who was attacked, or how.
Fix
Palo Alto Networks has published a fix or advice.[3] CISA’s required action: “Apply updates per vendor instructions.”[1]
- Check whether you use it.Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS is business software or equipment, so most families won’t have it. If you run a business, or work from home on company equipment, ask whoever looks after your IT.
- Send this page to your IT person.Ask them to confirm it’s fixed, or not in use. CISA gave US government agencies until 10 Jul 2022 to fix it.
- If it can’t be fixed, take it offline.CISA’s advice when there’s no fix is to stop using the product, or take it off the internet, until there is one.
You can’t fix someone else’s server, but you can watch for what follows a break-in like this: a breach notice, a password reset you didn’t ask for, or a scam message that knows things it shouldn’t. HARD watches for those for you and your family.
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| The flaw is made public in the National Vulnerability Database, with a severity score of 8.1.[2] | |
| CISA adds it to its catalog of flaws known to be used in attacks, noting that ransomware gangs have used it.[1] | |
| CISA’s deadline for US government agencies to fix it.[1] | |
| FIRST puts the odds of it being used in attacks in the next 30 days at 44%.[4] |
See also
Other Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS flaws
- CVE-2026-0322: code injection ·
- CVE-2026-0257: authentication bypass ·
- CVE-2026-0300: out-of-bounds write ·
- CVE-2025-0111: file read ·
- CVE-2025-0108: authentication bypass ·
- CVE-2024-3393: malicious DNS packet ·
Other Palo Alto Networks flaws
- CVE-2024-9465, Palo Alto Networks Expedition: SQL injection ·
- CVE-2024-9463, Palo Alto Networks Expedition: OS command injection ·
- CVE-2024-5910, Palo Alto Networks Expedition: missing authentication ·
Similar flaws
- CVE-2024-23113, Fortinet products: format string ·
- CVE-2020-3118, Cisco IOS XR: software discovery protocol format string ·
Added the same day
- CVE-2021-36260, Hikvision Security cameras web server: improper input validation ·
- CVE-2021-27860, FatPipe WARP, IPVPN, and MPVPN software: WARP, IPVPN, and MPVPN configuration upload exploit ·
- CVE-2021-22017, VMware vCenter Server: improper access control ·
- CVE-2020-6572, Google Chrome Media: use-after-free ·
- CVE-2019-9670, Synacor Zimbra Collaboration Suite (ZCS): improper restriction of XML external entity reference ·
Every Palo Alto Networks flaw on CISA’s list · Everything added in January 2022
References
- ^ Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. “Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS Remote Code Execution Vulnerability”. Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog, added 10 Jan 2022.
- ^ National Institute of Standards and Technology. “CVE-2019-1579 Detail”. National Vulnerability Database, published 19 Jul 2019.
- ^ Palo Alto Networks. Advisories and fixes: security.paloaltonetworks.com.
- ^ FIRST. “Exploit Prediction Scoring System”. EPSS 0.442, percentile 98.8, 31 Oct 2026.
- CVE Program. “CVE-2019-1579”. The official CVE record.
This article is built from CISA’s catalog (version 2026.10.30), NVD’s record and FIRST’s scores, kept in HARD’s database and checked every morning. The plain English is HARD’s.