CVE-2019-10651 in Endpoint Manager
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in the Core Server in Ivanti Endpoint Manager (EPM) 2017.3 before SU7 and 2018.x before 2018.3 SU3, with remote code execution. In other words, the issue affects 2017.3, 2018.1, and 2018.3 installations that lack the April 2019 update.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/04/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-10651 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within Ivanti Endpoint Manager Core Server components. This issue affects versions 2017.3 prior to SU7 and 2018.x prior to 2018.3 SU3, creating a significant security risk for organizations utilizing these specific software versions. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the Core Server functionality, allowing malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The flaw specifically impacts installations that have not received the April 2019 security updates, leaving thousands of enterprise environments exposed to potential exploitation. Organizations running these vulnerable versions face substantial risk as the vulnerability can be leveraged by attackers to gain complete control over affected systems without requiring authentication.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through improper handling of user-supplied input within the Core Server's processing mechanisms. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that, when processed by the vulnerable server, trigger unauthorized code execution. This flaw aligns with CWE-74 standards related to Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component, specifically manifesting in the failure to properly sanitize input parameters that flow into critical system operations. The vulnerability enables attackers to bypass normal access controls and execute commands with the privileges of the affected service account, potentially leading to full system compromise. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability represents a severe threat to enterprise security infrastructure, as it allows attackers to establish persistent access and move laterally within networks where Ivanti Endpoint Manager is deployed.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-10651 extends beyond immediate system compromise to encompass broader enterprise security implications. Organizations utilizing vulnerable Ivanti Endpoint Manager installations face potential data breaches, system hijacking, and unauthorized access to sensitive corporate information. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability means that attackers can target affected systems from external networks without requiring physical access or prior authentication credentials. This characteristic significantly increases the attack surface and makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where network segmentation is not properly implemented. Security teams must consider the potential for this vulnerability to be leveraged as a initial access vector for more sophisticated attack campaigns, including privilege escalation and data exfiltration operations. The vulnerability also impacts the integrity of endpoint management processes, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate device configurations and security policies.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-10651 focus primarily on applying the appropriate security patches released by Ivanti. Organizations should immediately upgrade to Ivanti Endpoint Manager 2017.3 SU7 or 2018.3 SU3, respectively, depending on their current version. Network segmentation should be implemented to limit access to Core Server components, particularly restricting external exposure of these critical systems. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving exploitation for privilege escalation and persistence mechanisms, making it critical for organizations to implement comprehensive threat hunting activities. System administrators should also consider implementing additional security controls such as application whitelisting and privileged access management to reduce the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any remaining unpatched systems within the enterprise environment.