CVE-2026-0251: GlobalProtect App: Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerabilities

Published May 13, 2026
·
Updated

Multiple local privilege escalation vulnerabilities in the Palo Alto Networks GlobalProtect™ app allow a local user to escalate their privileges to NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM on Windows and root on macOS and Linux. This enables a non-administrative user to execute arbitrary commands with administrative privileges.

The GlobalProtect app on iOS, Android, Chrome OS and GlobalProtect UWP app are not affected.

Affected Software

46 affected componentsFixes available
Palo Alto Networks GlobalProtect (Windows)
Palo Alto Networks GlobalProtect (macOS)
Palo Alto Networks GlobalProtect (Linux)
All of the following
Palo Alto Networks GlobalProtect App<6.3.3-h11, =6.3.0, <6.2.8-h10, =6.2.0, <6.0.13, =6.0.0
6.3.3-h116.2.8-h106.0.13
Microsoft Windows*
All of the following
Palo Alto Networks GlobalProtect App<6.3.3-h11, =6.3.0, <6.2.8-h10, =6.2.0, <6.0.13, =6.0.0
6.3.3-h116.2.8-h106.0.13
Apple macOS*
All of the following
Palo Alto Networks GlobalProtect App<6.3.3-h2, =6.3.0, <6.0.11, =6.0.0
6.3.3-h26.0.11
Linux Linux*
All of the following
Palo Alto Networks GlobalProtect App
Google Android*
All of the following
Palo Alto Networks GlobalProtect App
Apple iOS*
Palo Alto Networks Globalprotect Linux>=6.0.0<6.0.11
Palo Alto Networks Globalprotect Macos>=6.0.0<6.0.13
Palo Alto Networks Globalprotect Windows>=6.0.0<6.0.13
Palo Alto Networks Globalprotect Macos>=6.2.0<6.2.8
Palo Alto Networks Globalprotect Windows>=6.2.0<6.2.8
Palo Alto Networks Globalprotect Linux>=6.3.0<6.3.3
Palo Alto Networks Globalprotect Macos>=6.3.0<6.3.3
Palo Alto Networks Globalprotect Windows>=6.3.0<6.3.3
Palo Alto Networks Globalprotect Macos=6.2.8
Palo Alto Networks Globalprotect Windows=6.2.8
Palo Alto Networks Globalprotect Macos=6.2.8-h1
Palo Alto Networks Globalprotect Macos=6.2.8-h7
Palo Alto Networks Globalprotect Windows=6.2.8-h7
Palo Alto Networks Globalprotect Linux=6.3.3
Palo Alto Networks Globalprotect Macos=6.3.3
Palo Alto Networks Globalprotect Windows=6.3.3
Palo Alto Networks Globalprotect Linux=6.3.3-h1
Palo Alto Networks Globalprotect Macos=6.3.3-h1
Palo Alto Networks Globalprotect Windows=6.3.3-h1
Palo Alto Networks Globalprotect Macos=6.3.3-h2
Palo Alto Networks Globalprotect Windows=6.3.3-h2
Palo Alto Networks Globalprotect Macos=6.3.3-h3
Palo Alto Networks Globalprotect Windows=6.3.3-h3
Palo Alto Networks Globalprotect Macos=6.3.3-h4
Palo Alto Networks Globalprotect Windows=6.3.3-h4
Palo Alto Networks Globalprotect Macos=6.3.3-h6
Palo Alto Networks Globalprotect Windows=6.3.3-h6
Palo Alto Networks Globalprotect Macos=6.3.3-h7
Palo Alto Networks Globalprotect Windows=6.3.3-h7
Palo Alto Networks Globalprotect Macos=6.3.3-h8
Palo Alto Networks Globalprotect Windows=6.3.3-h8
Palo Alto Networks Globalprotect Macos=6.3.3-h9
Palo Alto Networks Globalprotect Windows=6.3.3-h9

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

  1. Upgrade

    Upgrade to a fixed release to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.3.3-h11Fixed in 6.2.8-h10Fixed in 6.0.13
  2. Upgrade

    Upgrade to a fixed release to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.3.3-h2Fixed in 6.0.11
  3. Upgrade

    Upgrade GlobalProtect App 6.0 (Linux) to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.0.11
  4. Upgrade

    Upgrade GlobalProtect App 6.0 (Windows) to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.0.13
  5. Upgrade

    Upgrade GlobalProtect App 6.0 (macOS) to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.0.13
  6. Upgrade

    Upgrade GlobalProtect App 6.2 (Linux) to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.3.3-h2 (6.3.3-42)
  7. Upgrade

    Upgrade GlobalProtect App 6.2 (Windows) to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.2.8-h10 (6.2.8-948)
  8. Upgrade

    Upgrade GlobalProtect App 6.2 (macOS) to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.2.8-h10 (6.2.8-948)
  9. Upgrade

    Upgrade GlobalProtect App 6.3 (Linux) to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.3.3-h2 (6.3.3-42)
  10. Upgrade

    Upgrade GlobalProtect App 6.3 (Windows) to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.3.3-h11
  11. Upgrade

    Upgrade GlobalProtect App 6.3 (macOS) to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.3.3-h11

Event History

May 13, 2026
Advisory Published
via Palo Alto Networks·04:00 PM
Data Sourced
via Palo Alto Networks·04:00 PM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software
CVE Published
via MITRE·06:20 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·06:20 PM
DescriptionWeakness
Data Sourced
via NVD·07:16 PM
DescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software
Jun 2, 2026
Advisory Published
via Palo Alto Networks·01:15 AM
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Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2026-0251?

The severity of CVE-2026-0251 is classified as medium.

2

How do I fix CVE-2026-0251?

To fix CVE-2026-0251, ensure you update the Palo Alto Networks GlobalProtect app to the latest version.

3

Which platforms are affected by CVE-2026-0251?

CVE-2026-0251 affects the Palo Alto Networks GlobalProtect app on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

4

What type of vulnerability is CVE-2026-0251?

CVE-2026-0251 is classified as a local privilege escalation vulnerability.

5

What could an attacker gain from CVE-2026-0251?

An attacker exploiting CVE-2026-0251 could escalate their privileges to NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM on Windows or root on macOS and Linux.

Company

Resources

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