CVE-2024-35285 is a critical security vulnerability identified in the NuPoint Messenger (NPM) component of Mitel MiCollab software, versions up to 9.8.0.33. The flaw arises from insufficient sanitization of input parameters, allowing an unauthenticated attacker to perform command injection attacks. Command injection (CWE-77) enables attackers to execute arbitrary system commands on the underlying server hosting the vulnerable application. Because the vulnerability is remotely exploitable over the network without any authentication or user interaction, it presents a severe risk. The CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.8 reflects the ease of exploitation (attack vector: network, low attack complexity), and the critical impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to gain full control over the affected system, potentially leading to data breaches, disruption of communication services, or pivoting to other internal systems. Mitel MiCollab is widely used in enterprise unified communications, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in business environments. Although no known exploits have been publicly reported yet, the vulnerability’s characteristics suggest that exploitation could be straightforward once a proof-of-concept is developed. The lack of available patches at the time of disclosure increases urgency for organizations to implement interim mitigations and monitor for suspicious activity.

The impact of CVE-2024-35285 is severe for organizations using Mitel MiCollab with NuPoint Messenger up to version 9.8.0.33. An attacker can remotely execute arbitrary commands without authentication, leading to complete system compromise. This can result in unauthorized data access or exfiltration, disruption or denial of communication services, and potential lateral movement within corporate networks. Given Mitel MiCollab’s role in enterprise communications, exploitation could disrupt critical business operations, affect customer interactions, and damage organizational reputation. The vulnerability’s high CVSS score indicates that confidentiality, integrity, and availability are all at significant risk. Enterprises in sectors relying heavily on unified communications, such as finance, healthcare, government, and large enterprises, face heightened exposure. Additionally, the absence of known exploits currently does not reduce risk, as attackers may develop exploits rapidly due to the vulnerability’s straightforward nature.

1. Immediately verify if your Mitel MiCollab deployment includes NuPoint Messenger versions up to 9.8.0.33 and prioritize upgrading to a patched version once available. 2. Until patches are released, restrict network access to the NuPoint Messenger service using firewall rules or network segmentation to limit exposure to trusted internal networks only. 3. Implement strict input validation and sanitization at network boundaries if possible, including web application firewalls (WAFs) configured to detect and block command injection patterns. 4. Monitor logs and network traffic for unusual command execution attempts or anomalous activity related to the NuPoint Messenger service. 5. Employ intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS) with updated signatures targeting command injection attempts against Mitel MiCollab. 6. Conduct regular security assessments and penetration tests focusing on communication infrastructure to detect similar vulnerabilities. 7. Educate IT and security teams about this vulnerability to ensure rapid response and incident handling if exploitation attempts are detected. 8. Coordinate with Mitel support for official patches and guidance, and subscribe to vendor security advisories for updates.