A vulnerability in Pulse Connect Secure before 9.1R12 could allow an authenticated administrator to perform a file write via a maliciously crafted archive uploaded in the administrator web interface. This high-severity vulnerability, classified under CVSS 3.1 with a score of 7.2, poses significant risks to organizations that utilize this technology.
Risk to organizations includes potential unauthorized file manipulation, which could lead to further exploitation or data breaches. The vulnerability has been assigned a CVSS severity rating of high due to its potential impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
As of now, there are no known public exploits, and the vulnerability has not been included in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog. However, the urgency for defenders to address this issue is high, given the exploitability metrics.
Organizations that utilize Ivanti Pulse Connect Secure should prioritize patching this vulnerability in their upcoming maintenance cycles to mitigate associated risks.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability allows an authenticated administrator to upload a maliciously crafted archive through the web interface. The CVSS score of 7.2 indicates a high severity level, with potential impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The affected product is Ivanti Pulse Connect Secure, versions prior to 9.1R12.
The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-434, which pertains to unauthorized file upload vulnerabilities. The disclosure date for this vulnerability was August 16, 2021, and it remains relevant due to its potential implications for organizations.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability lies in improper validation of uploaded files, allowing an authenticated user to upload malicious content. The attack vector is network-based, requiring high privileges, and does not necessitate user interaction. The attack complexity is low, making it accessible for potential exploitation.
The confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts are all rated as high, indicating that successful exploitation could lead to significant consequences, including unauthorized access to sensitive data and disruption of services.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The deployment of Ivanti Pulse Connect Secure in organizations is widespread, particularly in environments requiring secure remote access. The blast radius for this vulnerability could be extensive, affecting any system where the application is deployed. Given the high CVSS score and the potential for exploitation, organizations should assess their risk posture regarding this vulnerability.
Organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle to avoid potential data breaches or system compromises. The urgency for remediation is high due to the nature of the vulnerability and its implications for security.
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The affected versions include all versions of Ivanti Pulse Connect Secure prior to 9.1R12. Organizations using these versions should prioritize patching to mitigate the risk associated with this vulnerability.
Mitigation & Remediation
To remediate this vulnerability, organizations should upgrade to the latest version of Ivanti Pulse Connect Secure, specifically version 9.1R12 or later. If an immediate upgrade is not feasible, organizations can implement workarounds such as restricting file uploads and enhancing monitoring of administrative activities.
Configuration hardening should also be applied to minimize exposure, including ensuring that only trusted administrators have access to the web interface. Continuous security testing can help identify any weaknesses in the implementation.
Continuous penetration testing can further validate the effectiveness of these measures.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for any unauthorized file upload attempts or unusual administrative activities. Behavioral anomalies such as unexpected changes in file structures or unauthorized access attempts should be flagged for immediate investigation.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2021-22937 lies in its demonstration of the vulnerabilities that can exist in administrative interfaces, particularly in remote access solutions. Security teams should note the patterns of misconfigurations that lead to such vulnerabilities and reinforce their defenses against unauthorized file uploads.
A well-defined vulnerability management program is essential for proactively addressing such issues and minimizing exposure to future vulnerabilities.
Organizations should also consider engaging in regular security assessments, including penetration testing, to identify and remediate similar weaknesses before they can be exploited.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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