CVE-2024-24995 is a race condition vulnerability classified under CWE-367, affecting the web component of Ivanti Avalanche prior to version 6.4.3. The flaw is a time-of-check to time-of-use (TOCTOU) issue, where the system incorrectly handles state changes between validation and execution phases. This allows a remote attacker with valid authentication to execute arbitrary commands with SYSTEM-level privileges, effectively escalating their privileges to the highest level on the affected system. The vulnerability does not require user interaction beyond authentication, increasing its risk profile. Ivanti Avalanche is a widely used endpoint management and patch deployment platform, often deployed in enterprise environments to manage large numbers of devices. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality by allowing unauthorized command execution, integrity by enabling modification or destruction of data, and availability by potentially disrupting system operations. The CVSS v3.0 score of 8.8 reflects the high impact and relatively low complexity of exploitation, given the attacker only needs valid credentials and network access. Although no active exploits have been reported, the vulnerability’s nature and impact make it a critical concern for organizations relying on Ivanti Avalanche for endpoint management. The flaw emphasizes the importance of secure coding practices around race conditions and the need for timely patching of critical infrastructure software.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-24995 is significant due to the widespread use of Ivanti Avalanche in enterprise IT environments for endpoint management, software distribution, and patching. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to gain SYSTEM-level access remotely, leading to full control over managed endpoints. This could result in data breaches, unauthorized data manipulation, deployment of malware or ransomware, and disruption of business-critical services. Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure are particularly at risk due to the sensitive nature of their data and the criticality of their operations. The ability to execute arbitrary commands as SYSTEM could also facilitate lateral movement within networks, increasing the scope of compromise. Given the vulnerability requires authentication, insider threats or compromised credentials pose a heightened risk. The absence of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive mitigation, but the high severity score indicates that exploitation could have severe consequences for confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

1. Immediately upgrade Ivanti Avalanche installations to version 6.4.3 or later, where the vulnerability is patched. 2. Restrict access to the Ivanti Avalanche web interface to trusted administrators only, using network segmentation and firewall rules. 3. Enforce strong authentication mechanisms, including multi-factor authentication (MFA), to reduce the risk of credential compromise. 4. Regularly audit user accounts and permissions within Ivanti Avalanche to ensure the principle of least privilege is applied. 5. Monitor logs and network traffic for unusual activity indicative of exploitation attempts, such as unexpected command executions or privilege escalations. 6. Implement endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to detect and respond to suspicious behavior on managed devices. 7. Conduct security awareness training for administrators to recognize phishing and social engineering attempts that could lead to credential theft. 8. Develop and test incident response plans specific to endpoint management platform compromises. 9. Stay informed about Ivanti security advisories and apply future patches promptly. 10. Consider isolating critical management infrastructure from general network access to limit exposure.