CVE-2024-24999 is a path traversal vulnerability identified in the web component of Ivanti Avalanche, a widely used endpoint management and patch deployment solution. The flaw exists in versions prior to 6.4.3 and allows a remote attacker who has authenticated access to the Avalanche web interface to execute arbitrary commands with SYSTEM-level privileges. The root cause is improper sanitization of file path inputs, classified under CWE-22 (Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory). By exploiting this vulnerability, an attacker can traverse directories outside the intended scope and execute commands on the underlying operating system, effectively gaining full control over the Avalanche server. The vulnerability has a CVSS v3.0 base score of 8.8, reflecting its high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, combined with low attack complexity and no requirement for user interaction. Although exploitation requires valid credentials, the severity remains high due to the elevated privileges granted upon exploitation and the critical role Avalanche plays in managing enterprise endpoints. No public exploits or active exploitation in the wild have been reported yet, but the vulnerability's nature makes it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise enterprise environments. Ivanti has addressed this issue in version 6.4.3, and organizations are strongly advised to upgrade. Additional mitigations include restricting access to the Avalanche web interface, enforcing strong authentication mechanisms, and monitoring for suspicious activity related to file access and command execution.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-24999 is significant due to the critical role Ivanti Avalanche plays in endpoint management, patching, and configuration. Successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise, allowing attackers to deploy malware, steal sensitive data, disrupt operations, or pivot to other internal systems. This could result in data breaches, operational downtime, regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR), and reputational damage. Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and government are particularly at risk because they rely heavily on endpoint management tools for security and operational continuity. The requirement for authentication reduces the attack surface but does not eliminate risk, especially in environments where credential theft or insider threats are concerns. The ability to execute commands as SYSTEM means attackers can bypass most security controls, making remediation complex and costly. Given the interconnected nature of European IT infrastructures, a successful attack could have cascading effects across supply chains and critical infrastructure.

1. Immediately upgrade Ivanti Avalanche to version 6.4.3 or later, where this vulnerability is patched. 2. Restrict access to the Avalanche web interface using network segmentation, VPNs, or IP whitelisting to limit exposure to trusted users only. 3. Enforce strong, multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all users accessing the Avalanche management console to reduce the risk of credential compromise. 4. Regularly audit user accounts and permissions to ensure only necessary privileges are granted, minimizing the number of users who can authenticate. 5. Implement robust monitoring and alerting for unusual file access patterns, command executions, and authentication anomalies within Avalanche logs. 6. Conduct periodic penetration testing and vulnerability assessments focused on endpoint management infrastructure. 7. Educate administrators and security teams about this vulnerability and the importance of timely patching and access controls. 8. Consider deploying application-layer firewalls or web application firewalls (WAFs) to detect and block path traversal attempts if patching is delayed. 9. Maintain an incident response plan tailored to endpoint management compromise scenarios to enable rapid containment and recovery.