CVE-2024-27975 is a use-after-free vulnerability identified in the WLAvalancheService component of Ivanti Avalanche, a widely used endpoint management and software distribution platform. This vulnerability affects versions prior to 6.4.3 and allows a remote attacker with valid authentication credentials to execute arbitrary commands on the affected system with SYSTEM-level privileges. The root cause is a use-after-free condition (CWE-416), where the software attempts to use memory after it has been freed, potentially leading to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability is remotely exploitable over the network (AV:N), requires low attack complexity (AC:L), and only requires privileges of an authenticated user (PR:L), but no user interaction (UI:N). The scope is unchanged (S:U), meaning the impact is limited to the vulnerable component but affects confidentiality, integrity, and availability at a high level (C:H/I:H/A:H). This vulnerability could allow attackers to fully compromise affected systems, escalate privileges, and move laterally within networks. Although no public exploits are known at this time, the high CVSS score and ease of exploitation for authenticated users make this a critical issue for organizations relying on Ivanti Avalanche for endpoint management.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk due to the potential for full system compromise on endpoints managed by Ivanti Avalanche. Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure that rely on Ivanti Avalanche for patch management and software deployment could face severe operational disruptions, data breaches, and loss of system integrity. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could gain SYSTEM-level access, enabling them to install malware, exfiltrate sensitive data, disrupt services, or pivot to other network assets. The requirement for authentication limits exposure somewhat but does not eliminate risk, especially in environments with weak credential management or where attackers have already compromised user accounts. The lack of user interaction requirement facilitates automated exploitation once credentials are obtained. The vulnerability could also undermine trust in endpoint management processes, potentially delaying critical updates and increasing exposure to other threats.

European organizations should immediately upgrade Ivanti Avalanche to version 6.4.3 or later, where this vulnerability is fixed. Until patching is complete, restrict access to the WLAvalancheService component by implementing network segmentation and firewall rules to limit access to trusted administrators only. Enforce strong authentication mechanisms, including multi-factor authentication (MFA), to reduce the risk of credential compromise. Monitor logs and network traffic for unusual activity related to Ivanti Avalanche services, focusing on command execution patterns and privilege escalation attempts. Conduct regular audits of user accounts with access to Avalanche to ensure least privilege principles are enforced. Consider deploying endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to detect anomalous behavior indicative of exploitation. Finally, maintain an incident response plan tailored to endpoint management compromise scenarios to enable rapid containment and remediation.