1. Introduction
Ivanti Policy Secure 9.x / 22.x is a VPN solution affected by a server-side request forgery vulnerability (SSRF). This allows an attacker to send malicious requests, potentially accessing internal systems and data. Systems running the vulnerable software are at risk of compromise over the internet, impacting confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
2. Technical Explanation
The Ivanti Policy Secure web components in versions 9.x and 22.x contain a server-side request forgery vulnerability. An unauthenticated attacker can exploit this by sending specially crafted requests to the VPN appliance. This allows them to make the server interact with untrusted systems, potentially leading to data theft or remote code execution. The vulnerability exists due to insufficient input validation when processing web requests.
- Root cause: Insufficient input validation of user-supplied URLs in web components.
- Exploit mechanism: An attacker sends a crafted HTTP request containing a malicious URL that the Ivanti Policy Secure server then processes, interacting with an unintended target system. For example, an attacker could craft a request to access internal resources not normally exposed to the internet.
- Scope: Ivanti Policy Secure versions 9.x and 22.x are affected.
3. Detection and Assessment
To confirm vulnerability, check the installed version of Ivanti Policy Secure. A thorough assessment involves reviewing web server logs for suspicious requests.
- Quick checks: Use the command line interface (CLI) to display the software version. The exact command varies by system but typically includes commands like
show versionorversion. - Scanning: Nessus vulnerability scanner ID 168357 can detect this issue, as an example.
- Logs and evidence: Examine Ivanti Policy Secure web server logs for requests containing unusual URLs or connections to unexpected internal IP addresses.
4. Solution / Remediation Steps
Apply the patch provided by Ivanti as soon as possible. Follow these steps for a safe update.
4.1 Preparation
- A change window may be required depending on your environment and impact assessment. Approval from security and network teams is recommended.
4.2 Implementation
- Step 1: Download the latest patch for Ivanti Policy Secure from the vendor’s support portal.
- Step 2: Install the downloaded patch on the affected system following Ivanti’s installation guide.
4.3 Config or Code Example
Before
After
4.4 Security Practices Relevant to This Vulnerability
Several security practices can help prevent SSRF vulnerabilities. Least privilege limits damage from exploitation, while input validation blocks malicious requests.
- Practice 1: Implement the principle of least privilege for all services and accounts. This reduces the potential impact if an attacker gains access.
- Practice 2: Enforce strict input validation on all user-supplied data to prevent injection attacks, including SSRF attempts.
4.5 Automation (Optional)
5. Verification / Validation
Confirm the patch installation by checking the software version again. Re-test using earlier detection methods to verify the vulnerability is resolved. Perform basic service smoke tests.
- Post-fix check: Run
show versionvia the CLI and confirm that the installed version is patched (newer than the vulnerable versions). - Re-test: Re-run the Nessus scan or manual checks to ensure the vulnerability is no longer detected.
- Monitoring: Monitor Ivanti Policy Secure logs for any unusual activity, such as unexpected URL requests or connections to internal systems.
6. Preventive Measures and Monitoring
Update security baselines and implement checks in your CI/CD pipelines. Maintain a regular patch review cycle.
- Baselines: Update your security baseline to include the patched version of Ivanti Policy Secure.
- Pipelines: Add static application security testing (SAST) or dynamic application security testing (DAST) tools to your CI/CD pipeline to identify similar vulnerabilities early in the development process.
- Asset and patch process: Implement a regular patch review cycle, prioritizing critical vulnerabilities like SSRF issues.
7. Risks, Side Effects, and Roll Back
- Risk or side effect 1: Patch installation could temporarily disrupt VPN connectivity. Schedule patching during a maintenance window to minimize impact.
- Roll back: Restore from backup of Ivanti Policy Secure configuration and restart the service. If a snapshot was taken, revert to that state.
8. References and Resources
- Vendor advisory or bulletin: https://www.ivanti.com/security-advisories
- NVD or CVE entry: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-21893
- Product or platform documentation relevant to the fix: https://community.ivanti.com/docs/DOC-15677