# CVE-2019-1579: Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS Remote Code Execution

> Unauthenticated attackers can execute arbitrary code on Palo Alto Networks firewalls if GlobalProtect Portal or Gateway is enabled.

- **Severity:** High 8.1 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Yes, since 10 Jan 2022 (CISA KEV), used in ransomware
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 19 Jul 2019
- **Updated:** 2 Oct 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-3w36-wf5x-rjfv

## What is CVE-2019-1579?

CVE-2019-1579 is a high-severity code injection vulnerability in Paloaltonetworks Pan-Os, published on 19 Jul 2019. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

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.

Weakness: CWE-134 (Use of Externally-Controlled Format String)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2019-1579?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Paloaltonetworks Pan-Os.

## How do I fix CVE-2019-1579?

No fix has been published for CVE-2019-1579 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available. US federal agencies must fix it by 10 Jul 2022.

## Is CVE-2019-1579 being exploited?

Yes. Attackers have exploited CVE-2019-1579 in the wild since at least 10 Jan 2022, including in ransomware campaigns.

Public exploit code:

- https://github.com/securifera/CVE-2019-1579 (github_poc): https://github.com/securifera/CVE-2019-1579
- https://github.com/Elsfa7-110/CVE-2019-1579 (github_poc): https://github.com/Elsfa7-110/CVE-2019-1579

## Other vulnerabilities in Paloaltonetworks Pan-Os

- [CVE-2024-3400](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-3400/): Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS Command Injection (critical 10.0, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2020-2021](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-2021/): Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS Authentication Bypass (critical 10.0, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2017-15944](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-15944/): Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS Remote Code Execution (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2026-0300](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-0300/): Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS Out-of-bounds Write (critical 9.3, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2024-0012](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-0012/): Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS Management Interface Authentication Bypass (critical 9.3, exploited in the wild)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2019-1579 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2019-1579 is a high-severity code injection vulnerability in Paloaltonetworks Pan-Os, published on 19 Jul 2019. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: Yes. Attackers have exploited CVE-2019-1579 in the wild since at least 10 Jan 2022, including in ransomware campaigns.

Affected product: Paloaltonetworks Pan-Os. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-1579/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-1579/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2019-1579
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2019-1579
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2019-1579

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-1579/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.