CVE-2024-13171 is a vulnerability in Ivanti Endpoint Manager stemming from insufficient validation of filenames during file uploads, categorized under CWE-434. This weakness allows attackers to upload files with dangerous types that the system does not properly restrict or sanitize. Exploitation requires a remote attacker to upload a malicious file and a local user to interact with the system to trigger remote code execution (RCE). The vulnerability affects versions of Ivanti Endpoint Manager before the 2024 January-2025 and 2022 SU6 January-2025 Security Updates. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 indicates a high-severity issue due to its potential to compromise confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The attack vector is local (AV:L), meaning the attacker must have network access to the system but no privileges (PR:N) or authentication, though user interaction (UI:R) is necessary to activate the exploit. The vulnerability can lead to full system compromise if exploited successfully. No public exploits have been reported yet, but the risk remains significant given the nature of the flaw and the widespread use of Ivanti Endpoint Manager in enterprise environments.

If exploited, this vulnerability could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code remotely on affected systems, leading to full compromise of the endpoint manager environment. This can result in unauthorized access to sensitive data, disruption of endpoint management operations, and potential lateral movement within corporate networks. The impact extends to confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the managed endpoints and the broader IT infrastructure. Organizations relying on Ivanti Endpoint Manager for critical endpoint management and security enforcement could face operational downtime, data breaches, and increased risk of further attacks. The requirement for local user interaction somewhat limits the ease of exploitation but does not eliminate the threat, especially in environments where social engineering or phishing could induce user actions. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk but does not preclude future active exploitation.

Organizations should immediately apply the 2024 January-2025 Security Update or the 2022 SU6 January-2025 Security Update from Ivanti to remediate this vulnerability. Beyond patching, implement strict file upload validation policies, including whitelisting allowed file types and enforcing filename sanitization to prevent dangerous file uploads. Employ endpoint protection solutions that can detect and block suspicious file execution and monitor for unusual user activities that could indicate exploitation attempts. Educate users about the risks of interacting with unexpected files or prompts, especially those received via email or untrusted sources. Network segmentation can limit the exposure of Ivanti Endpoint Manager to only trusted networks and users. Regularly audit and monitor logs for signs of attempted exploitation or anomalous behavior related to file uploads. Consider deploying application whitelisting and restricting execution privileges on managed endpoints to reduce the impact of potential code execution.