How severe is CVE-2020-2049?

CVE-2020-2049 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2020-2049 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (26th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2020-2049?

CVE-2020-2049 primarily affects Paloaltonetworks Cortex Xdr Agent. In total, 5 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2020-2049?

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-2020-2049 published?

CVE-2020-2049 was published on 2020-12-09 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2020-2049

CVE-2020-2049 is a high-severity vulnerability in Paloaltonetworks Cortex Xdr Agent with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-427.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.8)
CVSS v2: 7.2
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (26th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-427
Affected product: Paloaltonetworks Cortex Xdr Agent
Published: 2020-12-09
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

A local privilege escalation vulnerability exists in Palo Alto Networks Cortex XDR Agent on the Windows platform that allows an authenticated local Windows user to execute programs with SYSTEM privileges. This requires the user to have the privilege to create files in the Windows root directory. This issue impacts: All versions of Cortex XDR Agent 7.1 with content update 149 and earlier versions; All versions of Cortex XDR Agent 7.2 with content update 149 and earlier versions.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2020-2049?: A local privilege escalation vulnerability exists in Palo Alto Networks Cortex XDR Agent on the Windows platform that allows an authenticated local Windows user to execute programs with SYSTEM privileges. This requires the user to have the privilege to create files in the Windows root directory. This issue impacts: All versions of Cortex XDR Agent 7.1 with content update 149 and earlier versions; All versions of Cortex XDR Agent 7.2 with content update 149 and earlier versions.
How severe is CVE-2020-2049?: CVE-2020-2049 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2020-2049 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (26th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2020-2049?: CVE-2020-2049 primarily affects Paloaltonetworks Cortex Xdr Agent. In total, 5 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2020-2049?: 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-2020-2049 published?: CVE-2020-2049 was published on 2020-12-09 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://security.paloaltonetworks.com/CVE-2020-2049

Affected products (5)

cpe:2.3:a:paloaltonetworks:cortex_xdr_agent:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:paloaltonetworks:cortex_xdr_agent:7.1:-:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:paloaltonetworks:cortex_xdr_agent:7.1:content_update149:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:paloaltonetworks:cortex_xdr_agent:7.2:-:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:paloaltonetworks:cortex_xdr_agent:7.2:content_update149:*:*:*:*:*:*

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