# CVE-2020-2021: Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS Authentication Bypass Vulnerability

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2020-2021-palo-alto-networks-pan-os-authentication-bypass-vulnerability  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2022-03-25. Updated: 2026-05-10  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2020-2021 · Severity: critical · CVSS 10 · Exploited in the wild · Published 2022-03-25

Improper verification of signatures in PAN-OS SAML authentication allows an unauthenticated network-based attacker to bypass authentication and access protected resources or log in as an administrator. This vulnerability exists only when SAML is enabled and the 'Validate Identity Provider Certificate' option is disabled. Affected resources include GlobalProtect Gateway, Portal, Clientless VPN, and the PAN-OS/Panorama web interfaces.

Technologies: [Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/pan-os). Vendors: [Palo Alto Networks](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/palo-alto-networks).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2020-2021 exploited in the wild?** Yes. CVE-2020-2021 is known to be exploited in the wild, first recorded on 25 March 2022. Treat it as urgent.

**How severe is CVE-2020-2021?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 10, published 25 March 2022.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS 9.1 versions earlier than 9.1.3; 9.0 versions earlier than 9.0.9; 8.1 versions earlier than 8.1.15; all versions of 8.0 (EOL); Palo Alto Networks Prisma Access.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2020-2021?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-2020-2021 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-2020-2021?** Check whether you run Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Affected products

- Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS 9.1 versions earlier than 9.1.3; 9.0 versions earlier than 9.0.9; 8.1 versions earlier than 8.1.15; all versions of 8.0 (EOL)
- Palo Alto Networks Prisma Access

## Timeline

- 2020-06-29: disclosed: Initial analysis and description provided by vendor.
- 2022-03-25: kev added: Added to CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog.

## Related threats

- [Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS information disclosure via dataplane interface](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-0331-an-information-disclosure-vulnerability-in-palo-alto-networks-pan)
- [Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS buffer overflow denial of service](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-0329-a-buffer-overflow-vulnerability-in-palo-alto-networks-pan-os)
- [Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS authentication bypass in GlobalProtect](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-0328-authentication-bypass-vulnerabilities-in-the-globalprotect-portal)
- [Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS privilege escalation in GlobalProtect](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-0327-a-privilege-escalation-vulnerability-in-the-globalprotect-gateway)
- [Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS buffer overflow in protocol and service processing](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-0326-a-buffer-overflow-vulnerability-in-palo-alto-networks-pan-os)