U.S. Cybersecurity Agency Warns of Actively Exploited Ivanti EPMM Vulnerability

Ivanti Endpoint Manager Mobile (EPMM, previously branded MobileIron Core) contains an authentication bypass (CWE-287) that allows a remote, unauthenticated attacker to access specific API paths on a vulnerable server. Because these endpoints require no credentials, any attacker who can reach the server can invoke them directly. Through these paths an attacker can read PII such as user names, phone numbers, and mobile device details, and can also make configuration changes, including installing software and modifying security profiles on enrolled devices, giving attackers a lever into the managed mobile fleet. Organizations running EPMM, typically enterprises and government agencies using it for mobile device management, are affected; exact affected version ranges should be taken from Ivanti's advisory. The flaw is actively exploited: it was added to CISA's KEV on 2023-07-25 with known ransomware use, EPSS is ~100%, while no public PoC or CVSS score is yet available.

Do: Apply Ivanti's patched EPMM releases per the vendor's instructions immediately, as patching or discontinuing use is the CISA KEV required action. Hunt for unauthenticated requests to the affected API paths, and review enrolled devices for unexpected software installs or modified security profiles, since ransomware operators are known to have used this flaw. Verify internet-exposed EPMM servers are prioritized for remediation and that managed-device configurations have not been tampered with.

CVE-2023-35081 is a path traversal (CWE-22) vulnerability in Ivanti Endpoint Manager Mobile (EPMM), the on-premises mobile device management appliance formerly known as MobileIron Core. It is triggered when an authenticated administrator submits crafted path input, allowing the attacker to write arbitrary files onto the appliance outside intended directories. Because arbitrary files can be written to the appliance, the flaw can be leveraged to further compromise the device, and public reporting indicates it was used in real-world attacks alongside a previously disclosed EPMM authentication bypass. Organizations running EPMM 11.8.x, 11.9.x, or 11.10.x prior to the fixed builds are affected. The vulnerability is being actively exploited in the wild: it was added to CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2023-07-31, attacks on Norwegian government entities have been reported, and no public PoC is known.

Do: Upgrade EPMM to 11.10.0.3, 11.9.1.2, or 11.8.1.2 for the 11.10.x, 11.9.x, and 11.8.x branches respectively, and treat this as urgent given the CISA KEV listing. Until patched, restrict internet-facing access to the EPMM appliance and review the device for unexpected or newly written files and other signs of compromise. Administrators should also confirm they are not exposed via chaining with the previously disclosed EPMM authentication bypass used in the same attacks.

Ivanti Endpoint Manager Mobile (EPMM) and its predecessor MobileIron Core contain an improper authentication flaw (CWE-287) that allows an unauthorized user to bypass authentication and access restricted functionality or resources of the application. It is triggered by sending unauthenticated requests to the affected appliance, with no valid credentials or user interaction required. A successful attacker gains access to protected MDM functionality and resources on the server, which has been leveraged in broader intrusions, including ransomware operations. Any organization running EPMM or MobileIron Core, particularly with the management interface exposed to the internet, is affected. The flaw was added to CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2024-01-18 with known ransomware use, and EPSS assigns it a ~100% probability of exploitation within 30 days (100th percentile).

Do: Apply Ivanti's patched releases immediately per the vendor advisory, or discontinue use if mitigations are unavailable, as required by CISA's KEV listing. Because the flaw has known ransomware use, review EPMM/MobileIron Core logs for unauthenticated access to restricted functionality and hunt for signs of follow-on compromise. Prioritize patching internet-facing instances and limit exposure of the management interface until updates are applied.

Ivanti Connect Secure (formerly Pulse Connect Secure) and Ivanti Policy Secure appliances contain a command injection flaw (CWE-77) in their web components, triggered when an authenticated administrator sends crafted requests to the appliance. The bug can be chained with the separate authentication bypass CVE-2023-46805, allowing an unauthenticated attacker to achieve the same result. Successful exploitation lets an attacker execute arbitrary commands and code on the appliance, providing a foothold into the networks behind the VPN or network access control gateway. Any organization running these appliances, typically enterprises and government agencies often deployed directly on the internet perimeter, is affected. Exploitation is confirmed in the wild: the flaw was added to CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2024-01-10 with known ransomware use and EPSS assigns a 100% probability of exploitation within 30 days, although no public proof-of-concept is available.

Do: Apply Ivanti's mitigations or patched builds immediately per vendor instructions, addressing the chained authentication bypass CVE-2023-46805 at the same time, and discontinue or restrict use of any appliance for which mitigations are unavailable, especially if it is internet-facing. Because exploitation with ransomware use is known, assume compromise is possible: review appliance web logs for suspicious requests and run Ivanti's integrity-checking guidance to verify appliance images before and after remediation. Where feasible, restrict direct internet exposure of the appliance web interface and monitor for further vendor advisories.