CVE-2026-111357 in Connect Secure
Summary
by MITRE • 10/16/2026
Ivanti Connect Secure 22.8R2.4 mishandles the manner in which the dsinvoked broker trusts DSCache configuration data, leading to privilege escalation to root, as exploited in the wild in October 2026.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/16/2026
The vulnerability identified in Ivanti Connect Secure version 22.8R2.4 represents a critical security flaw rooted in improper trust assumptions regarding system configuration data within the DSCache mechanism. This issue specifically affects how the dsinvoked broker processes and validates input from the DSCache, which is responsible for managing dynamic service configurations on the appliance. The core technical deficiency lies in the lack of rigorous validation or sanitization procedures applied to this configuration data before it is utilized by privileged system components. Because the dsinvoked broker operates with elevated privileges, any manipulation of its trusted inputs can lead directly to a compromise of the underlying operating system's integrity and security posture.
This architectural weakness allows an attacker who has already gained access to specific management interfaces or network segments protected by the appliance to inject malicious payloads into the DSCache configuration data. By exploiting this trust relationship, the attacker can execute arbitrary commands with root-level privileges on the target device. The exploitation does not require complex privilege escalation techniques beyond initial foothold acquisition because the system inherently trusts the format and content of the cached configurations without sufficient verification against expected schemas or constraints. This characteristic aligns closely with CWE-20 Improper Input Validation, as the software fails to verify that user-controlled data conforms to strict expectations before processing it in a privileged context.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe due to its potential for remote code execution and full system compromise. Once an attacker achieves root access through this flaw, they can bypass all security controls enforced by Ivanti Connect Secure, including authentication mechanisms, encryption policies, and logging features. This effectively neutralizes the primary function of the appliance as a secure gateway or virtual private network endpoint. Furthermore, because this vulnerability was actively exploited in the wild starting in October 2026, it indicates that proof-of-concept code is available to threat actors, increasing the likelihood of widespread automated attacks targeting unpatched instances across global networks. The ability to escalate privileges from a lower-privileged account or even potentially through network-accessible services makes this a high-severity risk requiring immediate attention.
From an offensive security perspective, this vulnerability facilitates lateral movement and persistence within enterprise environments. Attackers leveraging this flaw can establish persistent backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data stored on the appliance, or use the compromised device as a pivot point to attack internal network resources that are otherwise protected by perimeter defenses. This behavior is consistent with ATT&CK technique T1068 Exploitation for Privilege Escalation and potentially T1548 Abuse Elevation Control Mechanism if the exploitation involves bypassing access control lists or security policies inherent in the operating system configuration managed by DSCache.
Mitigation strategies must prioritize immediate patching to the latest secure version of Ivanti Connect Secure that addresses this specific handling error within the dsinvoked broker component. Organizations should verify their inventory for any instances running version 22.8R2.4 or earlier affected builds and apply vendor-provided updates promptly. In addition to software remediation, network segmentation plays a crucial role in limiting exposure. Administrators should ensure that management interfaces are not directly accessible from untrusted networks such as the public internet. Implementing strict firewall rules that restrict access to administrative ports only from known, secure IP ranges can significantly reduce the attack surface available for initial exploitation attempts.
Continuous monitoring and logging analysis are also essential components of a defense-in-depth strategy against this type of vulnerability. Security operations centers should configure alerts for unusual patterns in system logs that might indicate attempted manipulation of configuration files or unexpected privilege escalation events. Regular audits of DSCache configurations can help detect any unauthorized modifications before they lead to full compromise. Furthermore, adopting the principle of least privilege across all administrative accounts and services reduces the potential impact if a similar vulnerability is discovered in future updates. By combining timely patching with robust network controls and vigilant monitoring, organizations can effectively mitigate the risks associated with this critical flaw in Ivanti Connect Secure infrastructure.