CVE-2024-13172 is a vulnerability identified in Ivanti Endpoint Manager (EPM) stemming from improper verification of cryptographic signatures, classified under CWE-347. This weakness allows attackers to bypass signature validation mechanisms that are intended to ensure the authenticity and integrity of code or updates executed by the EPM software. Specifically, the flaw permits a remote unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code remotely, which can lead to full system compromise. However, exploitation requires local user interaction, such as a user executing a malicious payload or clicking a crafted link, which acts as a trigger for the attack. The vulnerability affects all versions of Ivanti Endpoint Manager released before the 2024 January-2025 Security Update and the 2022 SU6 January-2025 Security Update, which presumably contain patches addressing this issue. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 indicates a high severity level, with attack vector classified as local (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), but requiring user interaction (UI:R). The impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high, meaning successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized data access, modification, and disruption of services. Although no exploits have been reported in the wild yet, the vulnerability poses a significant risk due to the critical role Ivanti Endpoint Manager plays in enterprise endpoint management and security. The improper signature verification undermines trust in the software update and execution process, potentially allowing malicious code to run with elevated privileges. This vulnerability highlights the importance of robust cryptographic validation in security-critical software components.

The potential impact of CVE-2024-13172 is substantial for organizations worldwide that rely on Ivanti Endpoint Manager for endpoint management and security. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code remotely, leading to full system compromise, data breaches, and disruption of endpoint management operations. This can result in unauthorized access to sensitive information, manipulation or deletion of critical data, and interruption of business continuity. Since Ivanti Endpoint Manager is often used to deploy patches and manage security policies, compromise of this system could also facilitate further lateral movement within networks, escalating the scope of attacks. The requirement for local user interaction somewhat limits the ease of exploitation but does not eliminate the risk, especially in environments where users might be tricked into executing malicious actions through social engineering. The high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts underscore the critical nature of this vulnerability. Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure, where Ivanti Endpoint Manager is prevalent, face heightened risks of operational disruption and data compromise.

To mitigate CVE-2024-13172, organizations should immediately apply the official security updates released in the 2024 January-2025 Security Update and the 2022 SU6 January-2025 Security Update for Ivanti Endpoint Manager. Beyond patching, organizations should enforce strict local user privilege management to minimize the risk of malicious user-initiated actions. Implement application whitelisting and endpoint protection solutions to detect and block unauthorized code execution. Conduct user awareness training focused on recognizing and avoiding social engineering tactics that could trigger exploitation. Network segmentation can limit the spread of an attack if exploitation occurs. Additionally, monitor endpoint manager logs and network traffic for unusual activities indicative of exploitation attempts. Employ cryptographic integrity verification tools to validate software and update authenticity independently where possible. Finally, maintain a robust incident response plan tailored to endpoint compromise scenarios to quickly contain and remediate any breaches.