CVE-2024-29848 Overview
CVE-2024-29848 is an unrestricted file upload vulnerability [CWE-434] in the web component of Ivanti Avalanche. The flaw allows an authenticated, privileged user to upload arbitrary files and execute commands as SYSTEM on the underlying host. Ivanti Avalanche is an enterprise mobility management platform used to provision and manage rugged mobile devices at scale. The vulnerability affects versions prior to 6.4.x and was addressed in the Avalanche 6.4.3 release.
Critical Impact
Successful exploitation yields arbitrary command execution as SYSTEM, resulting in full compromise of the Avalanche server and any managed device data it holds.
Affected Products
- Ivanti Avalanche versions prior to 6.4.3
- Ivanti Avalanche web component
- Deployments not upgraded to Avalanche 6.4.3.602 hardening release
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-05-31 - CVE-2024-29848 published to the National Vulnerability Database (NVD)
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-29848
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability resides in a file upload handler exposed by the Avalanche web console. The handler fails to enforce restrictions on file type, extension, or content before writing the uploaded payload to a location reachable by the application server. An authenticated user with elevated privileges can upload an executable file or web-servable script. The service process runs with SYSTEM rights on Windows, so any command triggered through the uploaded artifact inherits those privileges.
This category of flaw is tracked as CWE-434: Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type. The Exploit Prediction Scoring System (EPSS) places CVE-2024-29848 in a high-probability band for near-term exploitation activity, though the vulnerability is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog at the time of writing.
Root Cause
The upload endpoint in the Avalanche web component does not validate file extensions, MIME types, or magic bytes against an allow-list. It also does not relocate uploads outside of a directory that the web server can execute or interpret. Combined, these gaps let an authenticated privileged operator introduce arbitrary code into the runtime context of the Avalanche service.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires network access to the Avalanche web console and valid credentials for a privileged administrator account. The attacker authenticates, submits an HTTP request to the vulnerable upload handler with a malicious payload, and then triggers the payload through a subsequent request or scheduled action. Because the Avalanche service typically runs as LocalSystem, the resulting command execution operates at the highest local privilege tier. Refer to the Ivanti Security Advisory May 2024 for vendor-published details on the affected component.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-29848
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected files with executable or script extensions (.exe, .dll, .jsp, .aspx, .bat, .ps1) written under Avalanche web application directories.
- New child processes spawned by the Avalanche web service process running under the SYSTEM account.
- Outbound network connections initiated by the Avalanche service to unfamiliar external hosts shortly after an administrative login.
- Web access logs showing successful POST requests to upload endpoints followed by GET requests to newly created files.
Detection Strategies
- Alert on file creation events in Avalanche installation and web directories where the writing process is the Avalanche service and the extension is executable or interpretable.
- Correlate authenticated administrator sessions in Avalanche audit logs with the appearance of new files on disk.
- Baseline the child-process tree of the Avalanche service and flag deviations, especially cmd.exe, powershell.exe, rundll32.exe, or wscript.exe spawned by the service.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Forward Avalanche application, IIS/Tomcat, and Windows security event logs to a central analytics platform for retention and correlation.
- Monitor privileged account activity for the Avalanche console, including logon source, session duration, and administrative actions.
- Track integrity of the Avalanche web application directory using file integrity monitoring against a known-good baseline.
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-29848
Immediate Actions Required
- Upgrade Ivanti Avalanche to version 6.4.3 or later, applying the 6.4.3.602 hardening build referenced in the vendor advisory.
- Restrict network access to the Avalanche web console to trusted management networks and jump hosts only.
- Rotate credentials for all Avalanche administrator accounts and audit recent privileged sessions.
- Review Avalanche web directories for unexpected files and remove any artifacts not associated with the installation.
Patch Information
Ivanti released fixes in Avalanche 6.4.3, with additional security hardening delivered in the 6.4.3.602 build. Details and download instructions are in the Ivanti Avalanche 6.4.3 Security Update and the Ivanti Security Advisory May 2024. Customers should validate the installed build after upgrade to confirm the hardening release is active.
Workarounds
- Limit console access to a small set of named administrators and enforce multi-factor authentication on the identity provider fronting Avalanche.
- Place the Avalanche server behind a reverse proxy or web application firewall that blocks uploads of executable and script content types.
- Segment the Avalanche host from general user networks and restrict outbound egress from the server to required endpoints only.
# Configuration example: restrict Avalanche console exposure at the network edge
# Allow only management subnet to reach the Avalanche web port
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 8443 -s 10.20.30.0/24 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 8443 -j DROP
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
