CVE-2020-2043: PAN-OS: Passwords may be logged in clear text when using after-change-detail custom syslog field for config logs

Severity: low (CVSS 3.3 v3.1)
Exploited in the wild: not listed in CISA KEV
EPSS: 0.7% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days
Public exploit or detection template: none known
Published: 2020-09-09 · updated 2026-06-17
Weakness: CWE-532

Description

An information exposure through log file vulnerability where sensitive fields are recorded in the configuration log without masking on Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS software when the after-change-detail custom syslog field is enabled for configuration logs and the sensitive field appears multiple times in one log entry. The first instance of the sensitive field is masked but subsequent instances are left in clear text. This issue impacts: PAN-OS 8.1 versions earlier than PAN-OS 8.1.16; PAN-OS 9.0 versions earlier than PAN-OS 9.0.10; PAN-OS 9.1 versions earlier than PAN-OS 9.1.4.

Affected products

Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS: from 8.1.0 through 8.1.15; from 9.0.0 before 9.0.10; from 9.1.0 before 9.1.4 — fixed in 9.0.10, 9.1.4
Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS: from 8.1 before 8.1.16; from 9.0 before 9.0.10; from 9.1 before 9.1.4 — fixed in 8.1.16, 9.0.10, 9.1.4

How to fix

Upgrade to a fixed version: Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS 9.0.10, 9.1.4; Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS 8.1.16, 9.0.10, 9.1.4. Check the vendor advisory for mitigations.

References

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