CVE-2022-0022

PAN-OS: Use of a Weak Cryptographic Algorithm for Stored Password Hashes

Description

Usage of a weak cryptographic algorithm in Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS software where the password hashes of administrator and local user accounts are not created with a sufficient level of computational effort, which allows for password cracking attacks on accounts in normal (non-FIPS-CC) operational mode. An attacker must have access to the account password hashes to take advantage of this weakness and can acquire those hashes if they are able to gain access to the PAN-OS software configuration. Fixed versions of PAN-OS software use a secure cryptographic algorithm for account password hashes. This issue does not impact Prisma Access firewalls. This issue impacts: PAN-OS 8.1 versions earlier than PAN-OS 8.1.21; All versions of PAN-OS 9.0; PAN-OS 9.1 versions earlier than PAN-OS 9.1.11; PAN-OS 10.0 versions earlier than PAN-OS 10.0.7.

Remediation

Solution:

  • This issue is fixed in PAN-OS 8.1.21, PAN-OS 9.1.11, PAN-OS 10.0.7, and all later PAN-OS versions. The passwords for all existing local user and administrator accounts must be changed after PAN-OS is upgraded to a fixed version to leverage the more secure cryptography for password hashes. You cannot update existing password hashes. All new local user and administrator accounts will use secure cryptography. PAN-OS 9.0 is end-of-life as of March 1, 2022, and is no longer covered by our Product Security Assurance policies.

Workaround:

  • Ensure that any exported firewall configuration files are secured and that only trusted users have firewall management access to prevent the exposure of password hashes. Using complex and secure passwords for all administrator and local user accounts makes password cracking infeasible and mitigates the impact of this issue. Switching PAN-OS software from normal mode to FIPS-CC mode ensures that appliances use secure cryptography to store hashed credentials for all local user accounts. However, when you enable FIPS-CC mode, the appliance will reset to the factory default settings and the existing configuration is removed. Documentation to enable FIPS-CC mode is available here: https://docs.paloaltonetworks.com/pan-os/10-2/pan-os-admin/certifications/enable-fips-and-common-criteria-support.html

Category

4.1
CVSS
Severity: Medium
CVSS 3.1 •
CVSS 2.0 •
EPSS 0.08%
Vendor Advisory paloaltonetworks.com
Affected: Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS
Affected: Palo Alto Networks Prisma Access
Published at:
Updated at:

References

Link Tags
https://security.paloaltonetworks.com/CVE-2022-0022 vendor advisory

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the severity of CVE-2022-0022?
CVE-2022-0022 has been scored as a medium severity vulnerability.
How to fix CVE-2022-0022?
To fix CVE-2022-0022: This issue is fixed in PAN-OS 8.1.21, PAN-OS 9.1.11, PAN-OS 10.0.7, and all later PAN-OS versions. The passwords for all existing local user and administrator accounts must be changed after PAN-OS is upgraded to a fixed version to leverage the more secure cryptography for password hashes. You cannot update existing password hashes. All new local user and administrator accounts will use secure cryptography. PAN-OS 9.0 is end-of-life as of March 1, 2022, and is no longer covered by our Product Security Assurance policies.
Is CVE-2022-0022 being actively exploited in the wild?
As for now, there are no information to confirm that CVE-2022-0022 is being actively exploited. According to its EPSS score, there is a ~0% probability that this vulnerability will be exploited by malicious actors in the next 30 days.
What software or system is affected by CVE-2022-0022?
CVE-2022-0022 affects Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS, Palo Alto Networks Prisma Access.
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