CVE-2026-0267 Overview
CVE-2026-0267 is an information exposure vulnerability [CWE-532] in the Palo Alto Networks GlobalProtect app on macOS. A local user can learn the configured passcodes used to disable, disconnect, or uninstall the GlobalProtect app. Once the passcode is known, the user can perform those actions even when the GlobalProtect configuration would otherwise block them. The vulnerability requires local access and low privileges, with no user interaction.
Critical Impact
Local users can bypass GlobalProtect endpoint controls by recovering the configured passcodes, allowing unauthorized disabling, disconnection, or uninstallation of the VPN client on macOS endpoints.
Affected Products
- Palo Alto Networks GlobalProtect app on macOS
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-06-10 - CVE CVE-2026-0267 published to NVD
- 2026-06-10 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-0267
Vulnerability Analysis
The GlobalProtect app for macOS supports administrator-configured passcodes that gate sensitive client actions such as disabling the VPN, disconnecting from the gateway, or uninstalling the agent. These passcodes act as a local endpoint control to prevent end users from tampering with a managed VPN deployment.
This flaw exposes those passcodes to a local user on the system. Once a user reads the exposed values, the passcode requirement no longer functions as a security control. The user can then trigger the protected actions through the normal GlobalProtect interface, even though the deployed configuration is intended to deny them.
The vulnerability is local and requires authenticated access to the macOS endpoint. It does not enable remote code execution or remote network compromise, but it weakens an endpoint policy enforcement mechanism used in managed environments.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper handling of sensitive configuration data, mapped to CWE-532 (Insertion of Sensitive Information into Log File) or equivalent information exposure patterns. Passcode material that should be protected from the local user account is reachable through local inspection on the macOS host.
Attack Vector
An attacker requires local, authenticated access to the macOS endpoint running GlobalProtect. The attacker reads the exposed passcode values from the local system, then invokes the GlobalProtect disable, disconnect, or uninstall workflows and supplies the recovered passcode when prompted. No remote network access or elevated privileges are required. Detailed technical specifics are provided in the Palo Alto Networks CVE-2026-0267 Report.
No public proof-of-concept code or exploit is available at this time, and the issue is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-0267
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected GlobalProtect disconnection or disable events on managed macOS endpoints where policy should prevent them.
- GlobalProtect uninstall events on endpoints that were provisioned with an uninstall passcode.
- macOS endpoints reporting as non-compliant or missing the GlobalProtect agent in MDM and inventory systems.
Detection Strategies
- Correlate GlobalProtect client status changes with the originating local user account and process activity on the endpoint.
- Monitor GlobalProtect gateway logs for sessions that disconnect outside expected maintenance windows on managed devices.
- Alert when GlobalProtect service state transitions to stopped, disabled, or uninstalled on devices with enforced VPN policy.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Forward macOS endpoint and GlobalProtect logs to a centralized log platform for cross-correlation.
- Track inventory drift for the GlobalProtect agent across the macOS fleet using MDM compliance reporting.
- Review file access patterns on local GlobalProtect configuration paths for unusual read activity by non-administrative users.
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-0267
Immediate Actions Required
- Identify all macOS endpoints running the GlobalProtect app and inventory which ones have disable, disconnect, or uninstall passcodes configured.
- Apply the fixed GlobalProtect app version for macOS as published in the Palo Alto Networks CVE-2026-0267 Report.
- Rotate any passcodes that were configured on affected endpoints after upgrading, since previously deployed values must be considered exposed.
- Restrict local administrative rights on macOS endpoints to reduce the population of users able to recover the passcode.
Patch Information
Palo Alto Networks has published advisory details and fixed version information for the GlobalProtect app on macOS. Refer to the vendor advisory at Palo Alto Networks CVE-2026-0267 Report for the specific affected and fixed versions and follow the documented upgrade procedure through your MDM or software distribution tooling.
Workarounds
- Enforce least privilege on macOS endpoints so standard users cannot freely inspect application configuration data.
- Use MDM compliance policies to detect and re-enroll endpoints where GlobalProtect has been disabled, disconnected, or removed.
- Rotate the GlobalProtect disable, disconnect, and uninstall passcodes on a regular cadence and after any suspected exposure.
- Treat passcode-based client controls as a defense-in-depth layer rather than the sole enforcement mechanism, and require gateway-side policy to validate posture.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
