An exhaustive evaluation of three firewall models from Palo Alto Networks has uncovered a host of known security flaws impacting the devices’ firmware as well as misconfigured security features.
“These weren’t obscure, corner-case vulnerabilities,” security vendor Eclypsium said in a report shared with The Hacker News.
“Instead these were very well-known issues that we wouldn’t expect to see even on a consumer-grade laptop. These issues could allow attackers to evade even the most basic integrity protections, such as Secure Boot, and modify device firmware if exploited.”
The company said it analyzed three firewall appliances from Palo Alto Networks, PA-3260, PA-1410, and PA-415, the first of which officially reached end-of-sale on August 31, 2023. The other two models are fully supported firewall platforms.
The list of identified flaws, collectively named PANdora’s Box, is as follows –
“These findings underscore a critical truth: even devices designed to protect can become vectors for attack if not properly secured and maintained,” Eclypsium said. “As threat actors continue to target security appliances, organizations must adopt a more comprehensive approach to supply chain security.”
“This includes rigorous vendor assessments, regular firmware updates, and continuous device integrity monitoring. By understanding and addressing these hidden vulnerabilities, organizations can better protect their networks and data from sophisticated attacks that exploit the very tools meant to safeguard them.”
