Critical Ivanti EPMM Authentication Bypass (CVE-2023-35082): Technical Deep Dive and Remediation Guide
Ivanti Endpoint Manager Mobile (EPMM) and MobileIron Core contain an authentication bypass vulnerability that allows unauthorized users to access restricted functionality or resources of the application.
FREQUENTLY ASKED
What is CVE-2023-35082 and why does it matter?
CVE-2023-35082 is a critical authentication bypass vulnerability in Ivanti Endpoint Manager Mobile (EPMM) and MobileIron Core. With a CVSS score of 10.0, it allows unauthorized users to access restricted application resources or functionality without any prior authentication. This vulnerability is highly significant because it is actively exploited in the wild and has been linked to ransomware use, posing a total risk to organizational data and device management infrastructure.
Which versions of Ivanti EPMM and MobileIron Core are affected?
According to the source data, the affected versions include Ivanti EPMM 11.10 and older versions. This specifically includes MobileIron Core version 11.2 and older. Organizations running these legacy versions are at immediate risk of remote unauthenticated API access, which could lead to a complete system compromise.
Has a patch been released for CVE-2023-35082?
Yes, Ivanti has provided remediation guidance and patches for this vulnerability. Users are strongly advised to upgrade to the latest supported versions of EPMM to resolve this security flaw. Detailed patch information and version-specific instructions can be found on the official Ivanti forums and security advisory pages.
What is the remediation deadline for CVE-2023-35082 and what does it mean for compliance?
The remediation deadline for CVE-2023-35082 is 2024-02-08. For organizations following CISA guidelines, this deadline marks the required date for applying mitigations or discontinuing the product's use. Failure to comply by this date increases the risk of successful exploitation by threat actors and may result in regulatory or compliance violations for federal and critical infrastructure entities.
How can I check if my Ivanti instance or deployment is affected?
Organizations should check their current version of Ivanti EPMM or MobileIron Core. If the deployment is running version 11.10, 11.2, or any older release, it is affected by CVE-2023-35082. Administrators should also review system logs for unauthorized API access attempts and consult Ivanti's official documentation to verify if their specific configuration is vulnerable to this remote authentication bypass.
CVE-2023-35082 is a critical authentication bypass vulnerability affecting Ivanti Endpoint Manager Mobile (EPMM) and legacy MobileIron Core versions. With a CVSS Score of 10.0 (Critical), this flaw allows unauthenticated remote attackers to bypass security controls and gain unauthorized access to restricted API endpoints and application resources. Given the remediation deadline of 2024-02-08 and the high EPSS score of 0.94402, immediate action is required to prevent system compromise and potential ransomware deployment.
Feature
Details
CVE ID
CVE-2023-35082
Affected Product & Versions
Ivanti EPMM 11.10 and older; MobileIron Core 11.2 and older
CVSS Score & Severity
10.0 (Critical)
CVSS Version
3.0
CVSS Vector
CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
Attack Vector
Network (Remote)
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
None
User Interaction
None
CWE IDs
CWE-287 (Improper Authentication)
Date Disclosed
2024-01-18
Remediation Deadline
2024-02-08
SSVC Exploitation status
Active
Known Ransomware Use
Yes
EPSS Score & Percentile
0.94402 (100.0%)
Patch Available
Yes
Technical Deep Dive into CVE-2023-35082
Understanding CWE-287: Improper Authentication
At the core of CVE-2023-35082 lies CWE-287 (Improper Authentication). This vulnerability class occurs when an application incorrectly validates the identity of a user, service, or device. In the context of Ivanti EPMM, certain API endpoints failed to enforce the necessary authentication checks, essentially leaving a digital "backdoor" open to anyone who knows where to look. Because the application assumes trust where it should verify, an attacker can submit requests to sensitive internal functions without providing valid credentials.
Attack Chain and Surface Analysis
The attack chain for CVE-2023-35082 is remarkably simple, which contributes to its maximum CVSS score. An attacker identifies an exposed Ivanti EPMM or MobileIron Core instance via the public internet. By sending a specifically crafted HTTP request to a vulnerable API endpoint, the attacker bypasses the login mechanism.
The attack surface involves the management interface and API gateway of the MDM (Mobile Device Management) solution. Once the bypass is successful, the blast radius is extensive. As indicated by the CVSS vector's "Scope: Changed" (S:C) metric, the impact extends beyond the MDM software itself. An attacker could potentially exfiltrate personally identifiable information (PII), modify device configurations, or push malicious applications to managed mobile devices across the entire organization.
Comparison with CVE-2023-35078
CVE-2023-35082 is closely related to but distinct from CVE-2023-35078, another critical bypass discovered earlier in 2023. While CVE-2023-35078 targeted more recent versions of EPMM, subsequent investigations revealed that older, legacy versions of the product (specifically MobileIron Core 11.2 and older) contained a similar but unique flaw. This highlights the dangers of "zombie code" or legacy components that may not have received the same security scrutiny as modern branches, leaving older deployments vulnerable even if newer patches were partially understood.
Who Is Affected?
This vulnerability impacts organizations globally that utilize Ivanti EPMM (formerly MobileIron) for mobile device management, particularly those running version 11.10 and older.
Due to the SSVC Active Exploitation status, this is not a theoretical risk. Threat actors, including ransomware groups, have actively targeted these systems to gain a foothold in enterprise networks. Furthermore, US Federal agencies and organizations following CISA BOD 22-01 must comply with the 2024-02-08 remediation deadline. Failure to address this vulnerability exposes the organization to total technical impact, including loss of confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Official Remediation Steps
Ivanti has released specific guidance to address this critical flaw. Follow these steps to secure your environment:
Identify Vulnerable Instances: Audit your current deployment to determine if you are running Ivanti EPMM 11.10 or older, or MobileIron Core 11.2 and older.
Upgrade to Supported Versions: If you are running legacy MobileIron Core versions (11.2 and older), Ivanti recommends upgrading to a current, supported version of EPMM where the flaw has been natively remediated.
Verify Patch Integrity: After applying the patch, ensure the version number reflects the secure build and monitor logs for any retroactive signs of compromise occurring before the patch application.
Discontinue Use if Unpatchable: If your specific version cannot be patched and an upgrade path is unavailable, CISA mandates discontinuing the use of the product to mitigate the risk to the broader network.
Security Best Practices for MDM Hardening
To defend against CWE-287 and similar authentication bypasses, organizations should implement the following defensive measures:
Implement Zero Trust Architecture: Move away from perimeter-based security. Ensure every API request is authenticated and authorized regardless of the source network.
Restrict API Access via IP Whitelisting: If the management API does not need to be globally accessible, restrict access to known administrative IP ranges or require a VPN for access.
Enhance Logging and Monitoring: Configure alerts for unusual patterns in API traffic, such as high volumes of requests to sensitive endpoints from unauthenticated sessions.
Perform Regular Vulnerability Scanning: Utilize automated tools to detect legacy software versions and exposed management interfaces before attackers do.
Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): While this specific CVE bypasses the initial auth check, robust MFA across all administrative portals provides a critical layer of defense-in-depth.
Segment MDM Infrastructure: Isolate the MDM management server from the primary internal network to limit the potential for lateral movement if the MDM itself is compromised.