Researchers Discover Bypass for Recently Patched Critical 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.