CVE-2025-5464 is a vulnerability identified in Ivanti Connect Secure, a widely used VPN and remote access solution. The issue is classified under CWE-532, which involves the insertion of sensitive information into log files. Specifically, in versions of Ivanti Connect Secure prior to 22.7R2.8, sensitive data such as authentication credentials or session tokens may be logged in plaintext or otherwise exposed within system logs. This vulnerability can be exploited by a local attacker who has authenticated access to the system, allowing them to read these log files and extract sensitive information. The vulnerability does not require user interaction beyond authentication and has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 6.5, indicating a medium severity level. The attack vector is local (AV:L), with low attack complexity (AC:L), requiring low privileges (PR:L), and no user interaction (UI:N). The impact is high on confidentiality (C:H), but no impact on integrity (I:N) or availability (A:N). The scope is changed (S:C), meaning the vulnerability affects resources beyond the initially vulnerable component. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the exposure of sensitive information in logs can facilitate further attacks such as credential theft or lateral movement within a network. Given Ivanti Connect Secure’s role in securing remote access, this vulnerability poses a significant risk if exploited.

For European organizations, the exploitation of CVE-2025-5464 could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive credentials or session information, potentially enabling attackers to escalate privileges or move laterally within corporate networks. This is particularly critical for organizations relying on Ivanti Connect Secure for VPN access, including financial institutions, government agencies, healthcare providers, and critical infrastructure operators. Exposure of sensitive information could result in data breaches, regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR violations), and reputational damage. Since the vulnerability requires local authenticated access, the threat is more pronounced in environments where multiple users have access to the VPN appliance or where insider threats are a concern. The confidentiality breach could facilitate further attacks, including unauthorized data access or disruption of secure communications.

Organizations should prioritize upgrading Ivanti Connect Secure to version 22.7R2.8 or later, where this vulnerability is addressed. In the absence of an immediate patch, administrators should restrict access to log files by enforcing strict file permissions and limiting administrative or user access to the VPN appliance. Implementing robust monitoring and alerting on log file access can help detect suspicious activity. Additionally, organizations should audit and sanitize logs to remove sensitive information where possible. Employing multi-factor authentication (MFA) for VPN access can reduce the risk of unauthorized access even if credentials are exposed. Regularly reviewing user privileges and ensuring the principle of least privilege is applied will minimize the risk posed by local authenticated attackers. Finally, organizations should consider network segmentation to limit the potential impact of compromised credentials obtained via this vulnerability.