CVE-2017-15944

Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS before 6.1.19, 7.0.x before 7.0.19, 7.1.x before 7.1.14, and 8.0.x...

9.8 CriticalIn KEVPublic exploit

Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS before 6.1.19, 7.0.x before 7.0.19, 7.1.x before 7.1.14, and 8.0.x before 8.0.6 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via vectors involving the management interface.

Attack profile

How easy it is to exploit

Attack vector: Network
Complexity: Low
Privileges needed: None
User interaction: None

What an attacker can affect

Confidentiality: High
Integrity: High
Availability: High

Exploit likelihood

98.3%Up 50.2 points since Apr 14, 2021

What each source reports

NVD Score used 9.8

Record: CVE-2017-15944
CVSS 3.1: 9.8 CriticalCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CVSS 2.0: 7.5 HighAV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P
Weakness: CWE-20, CWE-119
Updated: 2026-11-02

CVE List 9.8

Record: CVE-2017-15944
CVSS 3.1: 9.8 CriticalCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Weakness: CWE-20, CWE-119
Updated: 2026-11-02

EUVDEUVD-2017-7360 9.8

Record: EUVD-2017-7360
CVSS 3.1: 9.8 CriticalCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Updated: 2026-11-02

GitHub AdvisoriesGHSA-9ppr-hv62-39w2 9.8

Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS before 6.1.19, 7.0.x before 7.0.19, 7.1.x before 7.1.14, and 8.0.x...

Record: GHSA-9ppr-hv62-39w2
CVSS 3.0: 9.8 CriticalCVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Weakness: CWE-20
Updated: 2026-11-02

CISA KEV No score

Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS contains multiple, unspecified vulnerabilities which can allow for remote code execution when chained.

Record: CVE-2017-15944
Updated: 2026-11-02

Affected products

Public exploits

Links only. Every CVE stores no exploit code.

Public exploits
Source	Link	Date
Metasploit	Palo Alto Networks readSessionVarsFromFile() Session Corruption	2017-12-11
Exploit-DB	Palo Alto Networks Firewalls - Root Remote Code Execution	2017-12-14
PoC in GitHub	xxnbyy/CVE-2017-15944-POC	2017-12-19
Exploit-DB	Palo Alto Networks - 'readSessionVarsFromFile()' Session Corruption (Metasploit)	2018-05-08
PoC in GitHub	surajraghuvanshi/PaloAltoRceDetectionAndExploit	2018-05-24
PoC in GitHub	yukar1z0e/CVE-2017-15944	2020-05-29
PoC in GitHub	P4x1s/PaloAlto_EXP	2023-02-15
Nuclei	Palo Alto Network PAN-OS - Remote Code Execution

History

History
Recorded	Changed	Sources
Nov 3, 2026	exploitation, exploits
Nov 2, 2026	first indexed	CVE List, EUVD, Exploit-DB, GitHub Advisories, CISA KEV, Metasploit, Nuclei, NVD, PoC in GitHub

Dates are when Every CVE recorded each change. Upstream dates may differ.

In short

CVE-2017-15944 is a critical vulnerability (CVSS 9.8) in Palo Alto Networks Pan-os, published December 11, 2017. CISA lists it as known to be exploited, since August 18, 2022. EUVD reports exploitation since August 18, 2022. Public exploit code exists. EPSS puts the chance of exploitation in the next 30 days at 98.3%, the 99th percentile. No source names a fixed version.