CVE-2026-0276: A privilege escalation vulnerability in Palo Alto Networks Cortex® XDR Broker VM enables a locally authenticat

Routine

HIGH 7.8UPGRADE

CVE-2026-0276 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.8) affecting cortex xdr broker vm. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

A privilege escalation vulnerability in Palo Alto Networks Cortex® XDR Broker VM enables a locally authenticated user to perform actions as the root user.

Why this priority

High severity

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.8 (High)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.1% (top 96%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-269
Published	2026-07-09
Last modified	2026-10-25

Publisher (CNA): Palo Alto Networks, Inc. · Vendor: paloaltonetworks

Last updated 2026-10-25 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2026-07-09 20:16 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-10-25 17:10 UTCUpdated Record last modified

paloaltonetworks cortex xdr broker vm UPGRADE

Affected: >= 20.0.96 and < 31.0.58

Fixed in: 31.0.58

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 20.0.96

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy cortex-xdr-broker-vm || rpm -q cortex-xdr-broker-vm || cortex-xdr-broker-vm --version

2. UPGRADE to 31.0.58 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade cortex-xdr-broker-vm

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade cortex-xdr-broker-vm

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 20.0.96 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison cortex-xdr-broker-vm sudo apt install cortex-xdr-broker-vm=<VERSION_BEFORE_20.0.96> sudo apt-mark hold cortex-xdr-broker-vm

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list cortex-xdr-broker-vm sudo dnf downgrade cortex-xdr-broker-vm-<VERSION_BEFORE_20.0.96> sudo dnf versionlock add cortex-xdr-broker-vm

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2026-0276?

cortex xdr broker vm: upgrade to 31.0.58. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2026-0276 being exploited?

CVE-2026-0276 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2026-0276 affect?

CVE-2026-0276 affects cortex xdr broker vm. Severity is high (CVSS 7.8). A privilege escalation vulnerability in Palo Alto Networks Cortex® XDR Broker VM enables a locally authenticated user to perform actions as the root user.

How urgent is CVE-2026-0276?

Priority 28/100. High severity

Software pages

Palo Alto PAN-OS vulnerabilities

References

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