topic empty HIP after last Microsoft updates (09.2026) in General Topics

empty HIP after last Microsoft updates (09.2026)

JacekL — Thu, 17 Sep 2026 12:23:28 GMT

Hi,
Following the recent Microsoft updates KB5124008 and KB5126052, we have observed a significant issue with GlobalProtect’s operation, manifested by the transmission of empty or invalid HIPs.

PANOS version 10.2.16-h6 (but also on 11.2.10-h13—I was in the middle of the update but rolled back to limit its impact).

GP client version—primarily 6.3.3-1121

From the client’s perspective, this appears to be repeated disconnections—there is nothing in the PA logs related to logging out of the gateway.

Narrowing it down a bit, it seems to us that the problem mainly occurs on Windows systems with MS Defender enabled (if the client uses a different antivirus, we haven’t encountered the issue). Very often, HIPs report that Defender is disabled, even though everything is fine on the client’s end.

(A temporary workaround is to disable real-time protection checks in HIP.)

Have any of you observed similar behavior?

Re: empty HIP after last Microsoft updates (09.2026)

kiwi — Fri, 18 Sep 2026 10:04:36 GMT

Hi @JacekL ,

This behavior sounds like an OPSWAT / Host Information Profile (HIP) detection mismatch after Windows security/cumulative updates.

When Windows updates Defender's binaries, service names, or registry keys, the underlying OPSWAT engine used by the GlobalProtect client (v6.3.x) can temporarily fail to query Defender's real-time protection status. This causes GlobalProtect to generate an empty or "Real-Time Protection Disabled" HIP report, which triggers gateway policy enforcement and drops/disconnects the session.

Recommended Next Steps & Workarounds:

Check/Update GlobalProtect Data File: Ensure your Panorama/NGFW has downloaded and installed the latest GlobalProtect Data File. Palo Alto Networks regularly pushes OPSWAT definition updates to fix OS/Antivirus detection gaps.
Collect Diagnostics: On an affected client, collect the GlobalProtect logs (PanGPS.log).
Open a TAC Case: Submit the logs to Palo Alto Networks TAC so they can verify if a specific OPSWAT SDK update or updated GP Data File is required for these specific KB builds.
Temporary Mitigation: As you noted, temporarily adjusting the HIP Object criteria will prevent client disconnections until TAC releases an updated data file.

Kind regards,

Re: empty HIP after last Microsoft updates (09.2026)

JacekL — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 08:21:57 GMT

Hi @kiwi

GlobalProtect Data File – is it still needed?
On two identical clusters (PanOS 10.2.16-h6) with a GP Gateway license, one shows no information at all about the GlobalProtect Data File (as such), while the other displays a window but without any version information.
When I set the schedule (on the cluster 2) to update every hour, the logs show:
An error occurred while processing the request. Please try again after some time or contact support.

cluster 1

cluster 2

Re: empty HIP after last Microsoft updates (09.2026)

kiwi — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 09:14:23 GMT

Hi @JacekL ,

Yes. The GlobalProtect Data File contains the vendor definitions (OPSWAT engine definitions) used by PAN-OS to evaluate Host Information Profile (HIP) checks. If you are using HIP checks to verify antivirus status, disk encryption, or OS patch levels, keeping this file updated is required so PAN-OS can correctly interpret HIP reports from newer client/OS builds.

If one cluster show no info and the other fail with an error it usually points to a licensing or update-service connectivity issue on the firewall.

If licenses are active and connectivity is confirmed, a TAC case may be needed.

Re: empty HIP after last Microsoft updates (09.2026)

JacekL — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 09:35:40 GMT

Yes - the license is fine, and so is the connection…

So I'll try to contact TAC.
I'll let know once I get a response.

Re: empty HIP after last Microsoft updates (09.2026)

JacekL — Thu, 24 Sep 2026 11:07:58 GMT

Based on TAC answer: Palo Alto Networks has deprecated the standalone GlobalProtect Data File. The content that was previously provided through this separate file has been incorporated into the standard Applications and Threats content updates. The last standalone GlobalProtect Data File was released on November 7, 2022