Cyber Resilience

CVE-2024-38653

High

Published: 14 August 2024

Published
14 August 2024
Modified
15 August 2024
KEV Added
Patch
CVSS Score v3.1 7.5 CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
EPSS Score 0.9053 99.6th percentile
Risk Priority 69 60% EPSS · 20% KEV · 20% CVSS

Summary

CVE-2024-38653 is a high-severity Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference (CWE-611) vulnerability in Ivanti Avalanche. Its CVSS base score is 7.5 (High).

Operationally, ranked in the top 0.4% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

Deeper analysis

CVE-2024-38653 is an XML External Entity (XXE) vulnerability, tracked under CWE-611, that affects the SmartDeviceServer component in Ivanti Avalanche 6.3.1. The flaw permits improper processing of XML input containing external entity references, which can be leveraged to access local resources on the affected server. It carries a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5, reflecting network attack vector, low complexity, and no required authentication or user interaction.

A remote unauthenticated attacker can send a crafted XML payload to the SmartDeviceServer service over the network and retrieve arbitrary files from the server filesystem, resulting in disclosure of sensitive data without affecting integrity or availability.

The official Ivanti security advisory covering CVE-2024-38653 and related issues recommends upgrading Avalanche to version 6.4.4 or later to remediate the XXE exposure along with the other listed vulnerabilities.

The associated EPSS score remains elevated near 0.91, indicating sustained exploitation interest following disclosure.

EU & UK References

Vulnerability details

XXE in SmartDeviceServer in Ivanti Avalanche 6.3.1 allows a remote unauthenticated attacker to read arbitrary files on the server.

CWE(s)

Related Threats

No named actor attribution yet. ATT&CK technique mapping in progress for this CVE.

Affected Assets

ivanti
avalanche
6.3.1, 6.3.1.1507, 6.3.2, 6.3.2.3490, 6.3.3

Mitigating Controls

Likely Mitigating Controls AI

Per-CVE control mapping for this CVE has not run yet; the list below is derived from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry.

addresses: CWE-611

Penetration testing includes XML external entity payloads, detecting XXE vulnerabilities and enabling their mitigation.

addresses: CWE-611

Identifies XML external entity processing via monitoring of unusual file/network access or resource usage.

References