How severe is CVE-2020-2038?

CVE-2020-2038 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.2, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires high privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2020-2038 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 86% (100th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2020-2038?

CVE-2020-2038 affects Paloaltonetworks Pan-os. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2020-2038?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2020-2038 published?

CVE-2020-2038 was published on 2020-09-09 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2020-2038

CVE-2020-2038 is a high-severity vulnerability in Paloaltonetworks Pan-os with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.2. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 86% places it in the 100th percentile, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-78.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.2)
CVSS v2: 9.0
EPSS exploit prediction: 86% (100th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-78
Affected product: Paloaltonetworks Pan-os
Published: 2020-09-09
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

An OS Command Injection vulnerability in the PAN-OS management interface that allows authenticated administrators to execute arbitrary OS commands with root privileges. This issue impacts: PAN-OS 9.0 versions earlier than 9.0.10; PAN-OS 9.1 versions earlier than 9.1.4; PAN-OS 10.0 versions earlier than 10.0.1.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2020-2038?: An OS Command Injection vulnerability in the PAN-OS management interface that allows authenticated administrators to execute arbitrary OS commands with root privileges. This issue impacts: PAN-OS 9.0 versions earlier than 9.0.10; PAN-OS 9.1 versions earlier than 9.1.4; PAN-OS 10.0 versions earlier than 10.0.1.
How severe is CVE-2020-2038?: CVE-2020-2038 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.2, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires high privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2020-2038 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 86% (100th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2020-2038?: CVE-2020-2038 affects Paloaltonetworks Pan-os. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2020-2038?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2020-2038 published?: CVE-2020-2038 was published on 2020-09-09 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:o:paloaltonetworks:pan-os:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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