CVE-2024-9845 in Automation
Summary
by MITRE • 12/11/2024
Under specific circumstances, insecure permissions in Ivanti Automation before version 2024.4.0.1 allows a local authenticated attacker to achieve local privilege escalation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/14/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-9845 affects Ivanti Automation software prior to version 2024.4.0.1 and represents a critical local privilege escalation flaw stemming from insecure permissions within the system. This vulnerability specifically targets authenticated local users who can exploit improperly configured file or directory permissions to elevate their privileges from standard user level to administrative or root level access. The flaw exists in the permission model implementation of the Ivanti Automation platform, creating an attack surface where local adversaries can manipulate system resources that should normally be restricted to privileged users only.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which addresses incorrect permissions for critical resources, and represents a classic privilege escalation vector where insufficient access controls allow unauthorized privilege elevation. The insecure permissions likely manifest in executable files, configuration directories, or system service components that are not properly restricted, enabling a local attacker to modify or execute code with elevated privileges. Attackers can leverage this weakness to gain unauthorized access to system resources, potentially leading to complete system compromise and persistent access within the affected environment.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risk to organizations utilizing Ivanti Automation, particularly in environments where local user access is not strictly controlled or monitored. The local privilege escalation capability allows attackers to bypass traditional network-based security controls and move laterally within the system, potentially accessing sensitive data, modifying system configurations, or establishing persistence mechanisms. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where Ivanti Automation is used for orchestration and automation tasks, as it could enable attackers to compromise critical business processes and infrastructure automation systems.
The attack surface for this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to include potential data exfiltration, system modification, and persistence mechanisms that could remain undetected for extended periods. Organizations with multiple users or shared systems are particularly vulnerable, as the local authentication requirement does not prevent exploitation in environments where users may have legitimate access but could be compromised or malicious. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in relation to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation, and T1548, covering abuse of privilege escalation techniques. The exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to further attacks including credential theft, system reconnaissance, and broader network infiltration.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to Ivanti Automation version 2024.4.0.1 or later, which contains the necessary permission fixes. System administrators should also conduct comprehensive permission audits to identify and correct any similar insecure configurations that may exist in the broader environment. Additional security measures include implementing proper user access controls, monitoring for unauthorized privilege escalation attempts, and ensuring that local user accounts are properly managed with least privilege principles. Network segmentation and regular security assessments can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts while maintaining operational continuity in affected systems.