CVE-2026-0251 GlobalProtect App: Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerabilities
Local attackers can escalate privileges to SYSTEM or root on Windows, macOS, and Linux via the GlobalProtect app, enabling arbitrary command execution.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Any signed-in user
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- None listed
What is CVE-2026-0251?
CVE-2026-0251 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Palo Alto Networks Global Protect App, published on 13 May 2026. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.
Official description
Multiple local privilege escalation vulnerabilities in the Palo Alto Networks GlobalProtect™ app allow a local user to escalate their privileges to NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM on Windows and root on macOS and Linux. This enables a non-administrative user to execute arbitrary commands with administrative privileges.
The GlobalProtect app on iOS, Android, Chrome OS and GlobalProtect UWP app are not affected.
Weakness: CWE-426
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-0251?
It affects 1 product.
Products include Paloaltonetworks Globalprotect.
How do I fix CVE-2026-0251?
No fix has been published for CVE-2026-0251 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.
Is CVE-2026-0251 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-0251 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Other vulnerabilities in Palo Alto Networks Global Protect App
- CVE-2025-4232 GlobalProtect: Authenticated Code Injection Through Wildcard on macOS
- CVE-2021-3057 GlobalProtect App: Buffer Overflow Vulnerability When Connecting to Portal or Gateway
- CVE-2023-0009 GlobalProtect App: Local Privilege Escalation (PE) Vulnerability
- CVE-2022-0016 GlobalProtect App: Privilege Escalation Vulnerability When Using Connect Before Logon
- CVE-2025-0120 GlobalProtect App: Local Privilege Escalation (PE) Vulnerability
Sources
Also known as GHSA-h94g-f37w-qxpj.