Ivanti Sentry, formerly known as MobileIron Sentry, contains an authentication bypass vulnerability that may allow an attacker to bypass authentication controls on the administrative interface due to an insufficiently restrictive Apache HTTPD configuration.
FREQUENTLY ASKED
What is CVE-2023-38035 and why does it matter?
CVE-2023-38035 is a critical authentication bypass vulnerability in Ivanti Sentry (formerly MobileIron Sentry) with a CVSS score of 9.8. It matters because it allows remote attackers to bypass security controls on the MICS Admin Portal without any user interaction. This vulnerability is actively exploited in the wild and has been associated with ransomware activity, making immediate remediation essential.
Which versions of the product are affected?
The vulnerability affects Ivanti MobileIron Sentry versions 9.18.0 and below. Organizations running these legacy versions are at high risk of exploitation due to an insufficiently restrictive Apache HTTPD configuration within the administrative interface components.
Has a patch been released for CVE-2023-38035?
Yes, Ivanti has released official patches and mitigation guidance. Administrators should refer to the vendor's security portal to download the necessary updates and follow the specific instructions for securing the Sentry Administrator Interface. Applying these patches is the only definitive way to close the security gap.
What is the remediation deadline and what does it mean for compliance?
The remediation deadline is 2023-09-12. This date is critical for compliance with CISA's Binding Operational Directive (BOD 22-01), which requires federal agencies and affiliated organizations to patch vulnerabilities known to be exploited in the wild. For private enterprises, this deadline serves as a vital benchmark for risk management and insurance compliance.
How can I check if my Ivanti Sentry instance is affected?
To determine if an instance is affected, administrators must check the running version of Ivanti Sentry via the system dashboard. Any version at or below 9.18.0 is vulnerable. Furthermore, security teams should inspect Apache HTTPD logs for unusual access patterns to the MICS Admin Portal and monitor for unauthorized configuration changes or administrative logins.
CVE-2023-38035 is a critical security vulnerability discovered in the MICS Admin Portal of Ivanti Sentry (formerly MobileIron Sentry) versions 9.18.0 and below. Carrying a CVSS score of 9.8, this flaw represents a total compromise of the administrative interface. Due to an insufficiently restrictive Apache HTTPD configuration, remote, unauthenticated attackers can bypass authentication controls entirely. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-863 (Incorrect Authorization) and is currently being exploited in the wild, often as a precursor to ransomware deployment. Immediate patching before the September 12, 2023 deadline is required to maintain compliance and secure critical infrastructure.
Vulnerability Profile Table
Field
Value
CVE ID
CVE-2023-38035
Affected Product & Versions
Ivanti Sentry (MobileIron Sentry) 9.18.0 and below
CVSS Score & Severity
9.8 (CRITICAL)
CVSS Version
3.1
CVSS Vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Attack Vector
NETWORK
Attack Complexity
LOW
Privileges Required
NONE
User Interaction
NONE
CWE IDs
CWE-863 (Incorrect Authorization)
Date Disclosed
2023-08-22
Remediation Deadline
2023-09-12
SSVC Exploitation status
active
Known Ransomware Use
Yes
EPSS Score & Percentile
0.94419 (100.0%)
Patch Available
Yes
Technical Deep Dive: Understanding CWE-863 and the Apache Config Flaw
The root cause of CVE-2023-38035 lies in CWE-863: Incorrect Authorization. Specifically, the vulnerability manifests within the Mobile IT Core Service (MICS) Admin Portal, which serves as the central management interface for Ivanti Sentry. The technical failure is located within the Apache HTTPD configuration files that govern access to various API endpoints and web directories.
In a standard secure environment, the web server (Apache) is tasked with enforcing strict access controls, ensuring that only authenticated users with valid sessions can interact with sensitive administrative modules. However, in Ivanti Sentry versions 9.18.0 and below, certain Apache directives were configured with insufficient restrictions. This allows an attacker to manipulate HTTP requests—potentially through URI crafting or exploiting misconfigured proxy rules—to trick the server into granting access to administrative APIs without a valid authentication token.
The Attack Chain
Reconnaissance: An attacker scans for Ivanti Sentry instances exposed to the public internet, specifically targeting the MICS Admin Portal port (typically 8443).
Request Manipulation: The attacker sends a specially crafted network request to a vulnerable API endpoint. Because the Apache configuration fails to correctly authorize the source or the specific path requested, the request is processed as if it originated from a trusted, authenticated administrator.
Administrative Access: Once the bypass is achieved, the attacker gains full control over the Sentry configuration. This is the "Total" technical impact noted in the SSVC status.
Surface and Blast Radius
The attack surface is the MICS Admin Portal, a component that should never be exposed to the open internet. The blast radius is catastrophic: an attacker can intercept mobile device traffic, change security policies, and use the compromised Sentry instance as a pivot point to move laterally into the internal corporate network. The EPSS score of 0.94419 (100th percentile) highlights that this is one of the most frequently targeted vulnerabilities currently known.
Who Is Affected: Impacted Versions and Compliance Mandates
This vulnerability impacts any organization utilizing Ivanti Sentry (MobileIron Sentry) versions 9.18.0 or lower. Given Sentry's role in managing secure mobile gateways, the affected users typically include large enterprises, government agencies, and healthcare providers who rely on Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to secure their workforce.
CISA BOD 22-01 Compliance
Due to its active exploitation, CVE-2023-38035 was added to the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog. Under Binding Operational Directive (BOD) 22-01, all federal civilian executive branch agencies are required to remediate this vulnerability by the September 12, 2023 deadline. While the directive strictly applies to federal entities, the broader cybersecurity community treats this deadline as a standard for enterprise-grade security compliance and liability management.
Official Remediation Steps: Patching and Mitigation
Ivanti has provided a comprehensive remediation path for this critical flaw. Organizations must prioritize these steps to eliminate the risk of authentication bypass.
Identify Vulnerable Instances: Verify the version of Sentry currently in production. Any version numbered 9.18.0 or below must be addressed immediately.
Restrict Access (Immediate Mitigation): If an immediate patch is not possible, ensure that the MICS Admin Portal (Port 8443) is not accessible from the public internet. Use internal management networks or VPN-restricted access only.
Apply the Official Patch: Visit the Ivanti Success Portal to download the patch specifically designed for your Sentry version. Ivanti has released RPM scripts and version-specific updates to rectify the Apache configuration errors.
Verify Deployment: After applying the patch, verify that the administrative interface is no longer reachable without valid credentials and that the Sentry version reflects the updated, secure build.
Audit Logs: Perform a forensic review of the MICS Admin Portal logs for the period prior to patching to ensure no unauthorized access occurred during the window of vulnerability.
Security Best Practices for Infrastructure Management
To prevent similar authorization-based vulnerabilities in the future, organizations should adopt the following defensive strategies:
Implement Zero Trust Access: Never expose administrative interfaces (MICS, SSH, etc.) to the public internet. Use a Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) or a highly restricted VPN to gate access to management tools.
Hardened Web Server Configurations: Regularly audit Apache, Nginx, or IIS configurations using automated scanning tools to detect overly permissive directory access or misconfigured proxy headers.
Least Privilege for APIs: Apply strict authorization checks at both the web server level and the application code level (Defense in Depth). Even if a web server config is bypassed, the application should require a secondary session validation.
Egress Filtering: Configure Sentry instances with strict egress filtering rules. This limits an attacker's ability to download secondary payloads or communicate with Command & Control (C2) servers if an initial compromise occurs.
Rapid Patch Cycles: Maintain a vulnerability management program capable of deploying critical security patches within 48-72 hours of disclosure for high-risk, internet-facing assets.
Continuous Monitoring: Use a Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) system to flag unusual administrative login attempts or API calls that deviate from established baseline behaviors.