CVE-2026-0290 Overview
CVE-2026-0290 is an information disclosure vulnerability in the Account Protection feature of Palo Alto Networks Prisma Browser. A local attacker with access to the affected system can view sensitive data that the Account Protection feature is expected to safeguard. The weakness is classified under CWE-522: Insufficiently Protected Credentials.
The issue requires local access and specific attack prerequisites. It does not enable remote exploitation, code execution, or integrity impact. Palo Alto Networks has published details in the Palo Alto Networks Advisory CVE-2026-0290.
Critical Impact
A local attacker can read sensitive credential-related data managed by the Prisma Browser Account Protection feature, undermining credential confidentiality on affected endpoints.
Affected Products
- Palo Alto Networks Prisma Browser (Account Protection feature)
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-08-13 - CVE CVE-2026-0290 published to NVD
- 2026-08-13 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-0290
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability resides in the Account Protection component of Prisma Browser. Account Protection is designed to guard credential-related workflows and sensitive account data inside the browser. Due to insufficient protection of that data, a local actor on the same system can observe or retrieve information that should remain confidential.
Exploitation is bounded by its local attack vector and additional preconditions noted in the CVSS v4 metrics. The vulnerability does not modify data, does not alter integrity, and does not lead to denial of service. Impact is limited to disclosure of low-sensitivity information within the vulnerable component's scope.
Root Cause
The root cause maps to CWE-522: Insufficiently Protected Credentials. The Account Protection feature stores or handles credential-adjacent data in a manner that does not sufficiently isolate it from other local principals or processes. As a result, an attacker who is already present on the endpoint can inspect that data through normal local-access techniques.
Attack Vector
The attacker must have local access to the endpoint running Prisma Browser. No network path, authentication, or user interaction is required from a victim. Once local, the attacker interacts with the exposed Account Protection data surface to read the sensitive values. Palo Alto Networks has not published a public proof-of-concept, and no exploit code is currently listed in public exploit databases. See the vendor advisory for exact preconditions and affected versions.
No verified public exploit code is available for this vulnerability. Refer to the vendor advisory for technical specifics.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-0290
Indicators of Compromise
- No vendor-published indicators of compromise are associated with CVE-2026-0290 at this time.
- Unexpected local processes reading Prisma Browser profile directories or Account Protection data stores.
- Unauthorized local users or scheduled tasks accessing browser credential files outside normal workflows.
Detection Strategies
- Audit endpoint file and process activity for reads against Prisma Browser Account Protection storage paths by non-browser processes.
- Correlate local logon events with browser data access to identify unauthorized users interacting with credential-adjacent files.
- Track installed Prisma Browser versions across the fleet and flag hosts running versions listed as vulnerable in the vendor advisory.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable endpoint telemetry that captures file open, read, and copy events on browser profile directories.
- Monitor for command-line tools and scripts targeting Prisma Browser data paths on managed endpoints.
- Alert on new local accounts, privilege changes, or persistence mechanisms on hosts running Prisma Browser.
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-0290
Immediate Actions Required
- Review the Palo Alto Networks Advisory CVE-2026-0290 and identify Prisma Browser versions in use.
- Apply the fixed Prisma Browser release specified by Palo Alto Networks as soon as it is available in your environment.
- Restrict local access to endpoints running Prisma Browser to trusted users and enforce least privilege.
- Rotate credentials that may have been exposed through the Account Protection feature on affected hosts.
Patch Information
Palo Alto Networks tracks fix status and affected versions in the official vendor advisory. Deploy the vendor-supplied update through standard software distribution channels and confirm the installed version matches the patched release.
Workarounds
- Limit interactive and remote local access on systems where Prisma Browser is installed.
- Enforce full-disk encryption and strong local authentication to reduce the pool of principals with local access.
- Where feasible, disable or avoid use of the Account Protection feature on high-risk endpoints until the patch is applied, following vendor guidance.
# Example: inventory Prisma Browser installations on Windows endpoints
# Replace with your endpoint management tooling of choice
Get-ItemProperty "HKLM:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\*" |
Where-Object { $_.DisplayName -like "*Prisma Browser*" } |
Select-Object DisplayName, DisplayVersion, InstallLocation
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
