CVE-2024-3393 Overview
A Denial of Service vulnerability in the DNS Security feature of Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS software allows an unauthenticated attacker to send a malicious packet through the data plane of the firewall that reboots the firewall. Repeated attempts to trigger this condition will cause the firewall to enter maintenance mode.
Critical Impact
Attackers can persistently disrupt network security appliances, leading to service outages and maintenance mode conditions.
Affected Products
- paloaltonetworks pan-os
- paloaltonetworks prisma_access
Discovery Timeline
- Not Available - Vulnerability discovered by Not Available
- Not Available - Responsible disclosure to paloaltonetworks
- Not Available - CVE CVE-2024-3393 assigned
- Not Available - paloaltonetworks releases security patch
- 2024-12-27 - CVE CVE-2024-3393 published to NVD
- 2025-11-04 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-3393
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability resides in the DNS Security feature of PAN-OS where a malformed packet, when processed, causes the firewall device to reboot. This scenario can be exploited repeatedly to force the device into maintenance mode.
Root Cause
The root cause lies in how malicious packets are improperly processed, leading to a system crash.
Attack Vector
The attack vector is over the network, allowing unauthenticated attackers to exploit the vulnerability remotely.
// Example exploitation code (sanitized)
#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdlib.h>
int main() {
// Malformed packet creation
printf("Triggering malformed packet to cause DoS...\n");
// Simulated payload affecting PAN-OS
return 0;
}
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-3393
Indicators of Compromise
- Unscheduled reboots of PAN-OS devices
- Entry into maintenance mode
- Increased network traffic from known malicious IPs targeting DNS security
Detection Strategies
Network intrusion detection systems (NIDS) can be configured to identify unusual patterns of DNS requests. Investigate specific logs that show repeated failed DNS requests leading up to a system crash.
Monitoring Recommendations
Continuous monitoring of firewall logs for any anomalies and consistent checking of system stability or unexpected reboots.
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-3393
Immediate Actions Required
- Disconnect affected devices from the network to prevent further exploitation
- Monitor logs for unusual activity and patterns related to DNS requests
- Alert response teams upon any unexpected reboots or changes in firewall status
Patch Information
Ensure that the firewall software is updated according to the vendor’s advisories. Regular updates mitigate the vulnerability.
Workarounds
If patching is not immediately possible, consider disabling DNS Security in critical environments.
# Configuration example
set network services dns-security disable
commit
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
