CVE-2024-29204 is a heap overflow vulnerability identified in the WLAvalancheService component of Ivanti Avalanche, a widely used endpoint management and software deployment platform. The flaw exists in versions prior to 6.4.3 and allows a remote, unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary commands on the affected system. The vulnerability arises due to improper handling of memory in the service, leading to a heap overflow condition (classified under CWE-122). This memory corruption can be exploited to overwrite critical data structures or control flow information, enabling arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the service. The attack vector is network-based (AV:N), requires no authentication (PR:N), and no user interaction (UI:N), making it trivially exploitable remotely. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability severely (C:H/I:H/A:H), as attackers can gain full control over the affected system, potentially leading to data breaches, system manipulation, or denial of service. Although no public exploits have been reported yet, the critical CVSS score of 9.8 reflects the high risk posed by this vulnerability. Ivanti Avalanche is commonly deployed in enterprise environments for managing endpoints, software updates, and configurations, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations relying on it for operational security. The patch for this vulnerability is included in version 6.4.3, and organizations are strongly advised to upgrade immediately to mitigate risk.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-29204 is substantial due to the widespread use of Ivanti Avalanche in enterprise endpoint management. Successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary commands remotely without any authentication barrier. This can result in unauthorized access to sensitive data, disruption of business operations, deployment of ransomware or other malware, and lateral movement within corporate networks. Critical sectors such as finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and government agencies that rely on Ivanti Avalanche for endpoint control are at heightened risk. The vulnerability could undermine trust in IT infrastructure, cause regulatory compliance issues under GDPR due to data breaches, and lead to significant financial and reputational damage. Given the ease of exploitation and the critical nature of the flaw, it poses a direct threat to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of IT systems across Europe.

1. Immediate upgrade to Ivanti Avalanche version 6.4.3 or later, which contains the patch for this vulnerability. 2. Restrict network access to the WLAvalancheService component by implementing firewall rules and network segmentation to limit exposure to trusted management networks only. 3. Monitor network traffic for unusual activity targeting the Avalanche service ports and implement intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS) with signatures for heap overflow exploitation attempts. 4. Conduct thorough endpoint and network scans to detect any signs of compromise or exploitation attempts. 5. Employ application whitelisting and endpoint protection solutions that can detect and block unauthorized command execution. 6. Regularly review and update incident response plans to include scenarios involving remote code execution vulnerabilities in management platforms. 7. Engage with Ivanti support and subscribe to security advisories to stay informed about any emerging exploits or additional patches. 8. Consider temporary disabling or isolating the vulnerable service if immediate patching is not feasible, balancing operational needs and security risks.