CVE-2022-36980 in Avalanche
Summary
by MITRE • 03/29/2023
This vulnerability allows remote attackers to bypass authentication on affected installations of Ivanti Avalanche 6.3.2.3490. Although authentication is required to exploit this vulnerability, the existing authentication mechanism can be bypassed. The specific flaw exists within the EnterpriseServer service. The issue results from the lack of proper locking when performing operations during authentication. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to bypass authentication on the system. Was ZDI-CAN-15528.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/18/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-36980 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw in Ivanti Avalanche version 6.3.2.3490, specifically affecting the EnterpriseServer service component. This issue fundamentally compromises the security posture of affected systems by allowing unauthorized access through a weakness in the authentication mechanism that should have prevented unauthorized entry. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication issues, making it a significant concern for organizations relying on this enterprise software platform for device management and configuration.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate synchronization mechanisms during authentication operations within the EnterpriseServer service. When authentication requests are processed, the system fails to implement proper locking mechanisms that would normally ensure atomic operations and prevent race conditions. This lack of proper locking creates a window of opportunity where malicious actors can manipulate the authentication flow by exploiting timing vulnerabilities and concurrent access patterns. The flaw essentially allows attackers to bypass the intended authentication checks by leveraging the absence of proper concurrency controls during credential validation processes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching for organizations using Ivanti Avalanche 6.3.2.3490. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability gain unauthorized access to the entire system without proper credentials, potentially enabling them to perform administrative functions, modify device configurations, access sensitive data, and establish persistent access points within the network. This authentication bypass can be leveraged as a stepping stone for broader attacks, potentially allowing lateral movement and privilege escalation within the affected environment. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access or local network presence to target systems.
Organizations should prioritize immediate mitigation through official patches provided by Ivanti, as this vulnerability has been actively exploited in the wild. The recommended approach includes implementing network segmentation to limit access to the affected services, monitoring for suspicious authentication patterns, and conducting thorough vulnerability assessments of all affected systems. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing additional security controls such as network access controls, intrusion detection systems, and regular security audits to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's characteristics align with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the credential access and defense evasion domains, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security measures beyond simple patching. Organizations should also review their incident response procedures to ensure readiness for potential exploitation of this authentication bypass vulnerability.