CVE-2024-28987

SolarWinds Web Help Desk (WHD) contains hard-coded credentials (CWE-798): fixed, built-in authentication material embedded in the shipped software. Because the same credentials exist on every WHD installation, a remote attacker who knows them can authenticate to WHD without any user account, with no privileges or user interaction required (CVSS 3.1 9.1, AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N). Successful use grants access to internal WHD functionality and the ability to modify data, with high confidentiality and integrity impact but no availability impact. Any organization running an unpatched WHD instance is affected, particularly internet-exposed deployments such as those operated by managed service providers and enterprise IT service desks. The flaw is being actively exploited in the wild: CISA added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2024-10-15 (ransomware use not yet reported), EPSS assigns a 93.2% probability of exploitation within 30 days (100th percentile), and no public proof-of-concept was known at the time of this record.

What to do: Upgrade all WHD instances to the patched SolarWinds release that includes the October 2024 fix for CVE-2024-28987 (check the SolarWinds PSIRT advisory for the exact fixed version, e.g., WHD 12.8.4 or later); the required KEV action applies, and U.S. federal agencies must remediate by November 5, 2024. Prioritize internet-exposed WHD servers: restrict network access to the help desk interface/API until patched and review logs for unauthenticated access using built-in credentials, since exploitation is confirmed in the wild. If patching is not possible, apply mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product, as CISA recommends.