VTA-004534 – Palo Alto GlobalProtect Certificate Validation Flaw Enables Privilege Escalation

CVE-2025-2183 exposes a critical certificate validation flaw in Palo Alto GlobalProtect VPN clients (Windows/Linux) that allows adjacent attackers to install malicious root certificates and escalate privileges.

The vulnerability enables redirection of VPN connections to attacker-controlled servers, facilitating the installation of fraudulent certificates that can bypass code signing protections. While requiring network proximity (CVSS: 4.5), successful exploitation could lead to persistent system compromise through malicious software deployment.

Affected version include:
1. Window Versions:
GlobalProtect App 6.3.0 through 6.3.2
GlobalProtect App 6.2.0 through 6.2.7
2. Linux Versions:
GlobalProtect App 6.3.0 through 6.3.2

Palo Alto has released patched versions and recommends enforcing strict certificate validation. Organizations should prioritize updating vulnerable clients while implementing network segmentation and certificate store hardening to mitigate potential exploitation.

Severity:
Medium

Attack Surface:
Endpoint, Remote Access Service

Tactics:
Defense Evasion, Initial Access, Persistence, Privilege Escalation

Techniques:
T1553.004 – Subvert Trust Controls: Install Root Certificate
T1078.002 – Valid Accounts: Domain Accounts
T1134 – Access Token Manipulation
T1055 – Process Injection

References:
1. https://security.paloaltonetworks.com/CVE-2025-2183

SuperPRO’s Threat Countermeasures Procedures:
1. Immediately upgrade to GlobalProtect App 6.3.3-h2 (Windows) or 6.3.3+ (Linux).
2. Remove unnecessary certificates from Trusted Root CA stores.
3. Enable strict certificate validation in GlobalProtect configurations.
4. Segment networks to limit adjacent access to critical systems.
5. Monitor for unexpected root certificate installations.
6. Implement certificate pinning for GlobalProtect connections.
7. Audit all systems for unauthorized CA certificates.
8. Restrict non-admin users’ ability to modify certificate stores.

Contributed by: Anas