CVE-2024-13162 is a SQL injection vulnerability classified under CWE-89, found in Ivanti Endpoint Manager versions prior to the January 2025 security updates. The flaw arises from improper neutralization of special elements in SQL commands, allowing an attacker with administrative privileges to manipulate backend database queries. This manipulation can lead to remote code execution (RCE), enabling the attacker to execute arbitrary commands on the affected system. The vulnerability is a regression or incomplete fix related to CVE-2024-32848, indicating that prior remediation efforts did not fully address the underlying issue. Exploitation requires the attacker to be authenticated with admin-level access, but no user interaction is necessary once authenticated. The vulnerability affects confidentiality, integrity, and availability, as attackers can potentially access sensitive data, alter system configurations, or disrupt services. The CVSS v3.1 score of 7.2 reflects a high severity, with network attack vector, low attack complexity, and high impact on all security properties. No public exploits have been reported yet, but the risk remains significant due to the potential for privilege escalation and system compromise. The vulnerability highlights the importance of thorough patching and validation of fixes in security-critical software components.

The impact of CVE-2024-13162 is substantial for organizations using Ivanti Endpoint Manager, particularly those relying on it for endpoint management and security operations. Successful exploitation can lead to remote code execution with administrative privileges, allowing attackers to gain full control over affected systems. This can result in unauthorized access to sensitive data, disruption of endpoint management services, and potential lateral movement within corporate networks. The compromise of endpoint management infrastructure can undermine overall security posture, enabling further attacks such as ransomware deployment or data exfiltration. Organizations in sectors with high security requirements, such as government, finance, healthcare, and critical infrastructure, face increased risks due to the potential for widespread operational disruption. The requirement for admin-level authentication limits exploitation to insiders or attackers who have already breached initial defenses, but the severity of the impact once exploited remains high.

To mitigate CVE-2024-13162, organizations should immediately apply the January 2025 security updates released by Ivanti for Endpoint Manager, which address this SQL injection vulnerability. Beyond patching, organizations should audit and restrict administrative access to the Endpoint Manager platform, enforcing the principle of least privilege and strong authentication mechanisms such as multi-factor authentication (MFA). Regularly review and monitor logs for suspicious administrative activities that could indicate attempted exploitation. Implement network segmentation to limit access to management consoles and databases, reducing the attack surface. Conduct thorough security testing and validation of patches to ensure that fixes fully resolve vulnerabilities without regressions. Additionally, consider deploying web application firewalls (WAFs) or database activity monitoring tools to detect and block anomalous SQL queries indicative of injection attempts. Maintain an incident response plan tailored to endpoint management compromise scenarios to enable rapid containment and recovery.