Addressing the XXE Vulnerability in Ivanti Connect Secure and Ivanti Policy Secure (CVE-2024-22024)

[ggenard]

What is CVE-2024-22024? 

CVE-2024-22024 represents a critical XML External Entity (XXE) vulnerability identified in the SAML (Security Assertion Markup Language) components of Ivanti Connect Secure and Ivanti Policy Secure platforms. This vulnerability impacts versions 9.x and 22.x of these platforms, exposing a significant security risk. 

An XXE vulnerability arises when an application improperly processes XML input from untrusted sources. In the context of CVE-2024-22024, attackers can exploit this flaw by crafting malicious XML documents designed to interact with external systems or access restricted resources without requiring legitimate authentication. This could potentially lead to unauthorized data disclosure, manipulation of sensitive information, or even complete compromise of affected systems. 

The implications of CVE-2024-22024 underscore the critical nature of XML processing security. By exploiting XXE vulnerabilities, attackers can bypass intended security controls and exploit trust relationships established by the affected applications, posing substantial risks to confidentiality, integrity, and availability. 

The Significance of CVE-2024-22024 

XXE vulnerabilities represent a significant cybersecurity risk due to their potential to enable attackers to exploit XML processing flaws within applications. These vulnerabilities typically allow malicious actors to execute actions using the server's privileges, potentially compromising system integrity and security in several critical ways. 

Attackers can manipulate XML inputs to force applications into performing unintended actions on behalf of the server. This could range from accessing privileged functionalities to manipulating sensitive data stored within the application or associated databases. 

The XXE vulnerabilities often enable unauthorized access to sensitive files accessible to the application server. Attackers can craft XML payloads that retrieve files such as configuration files, credentials, or other confidential data. This access can be particularly damaging as it exposes critical information that could facilitate further exploitation or compromise of the organization's infrastructure. 

These vulnerabilities may allow attackers to interact with internal systems and services that are reachable from the application server. By leveraging XXE flaws, attackers could potentially manipulate internal systems or extract data from them, bypassing normal security controls and posing a direct threat to the confidentiality and availability of sensitive information. Given the widespread adoption of Ivanti products for secure network access and policy management, vulnerabilities like XXE in platforms such as Ivanti Connect Secure (aka Pulse Secure) and Ivanti Policy Secure (aka Pulse Secure) pose a heightened risk. Exploitation of such vulnerabilities could lead to severe consequences, including unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information or even full-scale data breaches affecting organizational integrity and compliance. Therefore, addressing XXE vulnerabilities requires immediate attention, including applying vendor-provided patches, implementing secure coding practices to mitigate XML processing risks, and enhancing monitoring and response capabilities to detect and mitigate potential exploitation attempts promptly. These proactive measures are essential to safeguarding Ivanti environments and mitigating the risks of information disclosure and data breaches associated with XXE vulnerabilities. 

How Critical is CVE-2024-22024? 

This vulnerability has received a high severity score of 8.3, highlighting its significant impact potential on affected systems. This score is indicative of the vulnerability's ability to facilitate unauthorized data access and interaction, posing substantial risks to the security and integrity of the affected environments. The severity score of 8.3 underscores the critical nature of the vulnerability, suggesting that if exploited, it could lead to severe consequences such as unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information or compromise of critical system resources. Such scenarios could result in substantial operational disruptions, financial losses, and damage to an organization's reputation. Moreover, the assessed attack complexity for this vulnerability is considered low. This designation implies that exploiting the vulnerability does not require specialized knowledge or extensive interaction from the victim. Attackers may exploit the flaw with relative ease, leveraging straightforward techniques to achieve unauthorized access or manipulate data without encountering significant barriers. 

Given these characteristics, the vulnerability poses a clear and present risk to affected systems. Organizations using the affected software or platforms should prioritize immediate mitigation measures, including applying vendor-supplied patches, implementing compensating controls, and enhancing monitoring to detect and respond to exploitation attempts promptly. By addressing the vulnerability promptly and comprehensively, organizations can mitigate the risks associated with unauthorized data access and interaction, thereby safeguarding their systems from potential security breaches and minimizing the impact on their operations and stakeholders. 

Mitigating the Risks of CVE-2024-22024 

Ivanti has released patches for the affected versions of both Connect Secure and Policy Secure products. It is crucial for organizations using the impacted versions to apply these updates immediately to mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability. For those systems where updates cannot be immediately applied, Ivanti has recommended specific mitigations to block the exploitation paths until patches can be installed. 

FortiWeb Protection

FortiWeb stands as a formidable defense against XML External Entity (XXE) and similar XML-based attacks by implementing advanced validation and filtering mechanisms. These measures are crucial in thwarting malicious attempts to exploit vulnerabilities such as CVE-2024-22024, which target weaknesses in XML processing. 

By validating XML documents before they reach the application, FortiWeb ensures that they adhere strictly to expected schemas and structures. This proactive approach effectively blocks malicious XML entities, including external entity references and parameter entities, that could be used by attackers to gain unauthorized access or manipulate sensitive data within the application environment. 

Furthermore, FortiWeb's comprehensive filtering capabilities enable it to inspect XML inputs thoroughly, identifying and mitigating potential threats before they can compromise system integrity or confidentiality. This includes detecting anomalies in XML traffic patterns that may indicate attempts to exploit XXE vulnerabilities. 

In essence, FortiWeb not only enhances the security posture of web applications but also safeguards the integrity and confidentiality of data processed within XML-based environments. By fortifying defenses against XXE attacks, FortiWeb empowers organizations to mitigate risks effectively, uphold compliance with security standards, and maintain the trust of stakeholders in the face of evolving cybersecurity threats. 

Conclusion 

The identification of CVE-2024-22024 in widely deployed security products highlight the importance of ongoing monitoring, timely application of security updates, and the implementation of robust security protocols. It is crucial for organizations to promptly apply all security patches and bolster defenses with additional security measures to mitigate the risk of exploitation from similar vulnerabilities. 

For more detailed guidance on CVE-2024-22024 and how to secure your systems effectively, refer to the latest advisories from Ivanti and implement recommended security practices. 

FortiGuard Outbreak Reference:  

Web Application Security | FortiGuard Labs