Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS · Operation Master: Deconstructing a Multi-Tiered Intrusion and Monetization Pipeline
Affects Palo Alto Networks PAN-OSSource AlienVault OTX General
Exploited in the wild · used in ransomware campaigns · KEV due 1 Jun 2026 · public detection template (Nuclei) · fixed in 12.1.7 : block it and hunt for it in your logs now.
Data as of 28 Oct 2026, 10:43 UTC
- KEV deadline
- US federal agencies must patch by this date; a sensible deadline for everyone else. Other KEV due dates
- Ransomware
- Used in ransomware campaigns
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:L/VI:N/VA:N/SC:H/SI:H/SA:N/E:A/AU:N/R:A/V:D/RE:M/U:RedExploitation evidence
t = 0 is the CVE’s publication on cve.org
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 13 May 2026
Detectable: evidence found.
nuclei template: Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS - Authentication Bypass
Weaponised: no evidence on record.
No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB
Exploited in the wildExploited: evidence found.
Listed in CISA KEV 16 days after disclosure
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by Mirage: evidence found.
1 exposed host found; no attack traffic recorded
Timeline
CVE ID reserved
by Palo Alto Networks, Inc.
, 191 days before disclosure
CVE published
on cve.org
, t = 0
In Threat Radar
record ingested
, 21 minutes after disclosure
Added to CISA KEV (opens in a new tab)
exploitation confirmed · ransomware use known
, 16 days after disclosure
KEV remediation due
US federal deadline
, 19 days after disclosure
A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), CISA KEV (opens in a new tab), OffSeq Mirage (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 26 Oct 2026.
What to do
Upgrade PAN-OS to 12.1.7, 11.2.12, 11.1.15 or 10.2.18-h6; Prisma Access to 11.2.7-h13 or 10.2.10-h36.
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| Palo Alto NetworksPAN-OS | Affected
| Fixed in
|
| Palo Alto NetworksPAN-OS | Affected
| Fixed in
|
| Palo Alto NetworksPAN-OS | Affected
| Fixed in
|
| Palo Alto NetworksPAN-OS | Affected
| Fixed in
|
| Palo Alto NetworksPrisma Access | Affected
| Fixed in
|
| Palo Alto NetworksPrisma Access | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Description
Operation Master is a sophisticated cybercrime campaign exploiting a GlobalProtect authentication bypass vulnerability (CVE-2026-0257) to compromise enterprise networks across multiple countries. The attackers conducted extensive network scanning to identify high-value targets, executed SQL injection attacks with privilege escalation to steal databases, and exfiltrated Active Directory credentials. They monetized stolen data by selling it on underground forums and operating a multi-tenant automated invoice fraud platform that sent millions of phishing messages and fraudulent links. The operation employed advanced phishing techniques including M365 OAuth device-code phishing and voice-based credential harvesting, with payments collected via PIX through serverless proxies.
Indicators of compromise
Domains 5
- nuvfaturas.com
- wattiofaturas.com
- igreenfaturas.com
- qrcode.a55scd.com.br
- nuvenergia.com.br
URLs 1
- http://yzs.fi/f/
Hashes 14
CVEs 8
- CVE-2020-1938
- CVE-2021-36260
- CVE-2021-4034
- CVE-2022-40684
- CVE-2022-28368
- CVE-2024-1086
- CVE-2023-7028
- CVE-2026-0257