CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2023-38043NVD status: Modified

Secure Access Client Windows: Uncontrolled Resource Consumption

CVE-2023-38043 is a high-severity uncontrolled resource consumption vulnerability in Secure Access Client Windows from Ivanti, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 out of 10. It can be exploited with local access to the system by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. The record lists version 22.6R1.1 as the first without the flaw, so updating Secure Access Client Windows to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.39% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.

Next patch cycle

High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.

What to do

  1. Update Secure Access Client Windows to 22.6R1.1 or a later version.
  2. Update Secure Access Client to 22.6 or a later version.
  3. Read the advisory on forums.ivanti.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
IvantiSecure Access Client Windows22.6R1.1 up to, but not including, 22.6R1.1; before 22.6R1.122.6R1.1
IvantiSecure Access Clientbefore 22.6; 22.622.6

Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.

How the severity score breaks down

Attack vector
LocalThe attacker needs local access or must trick a user into running something.
Attack complexity
LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
Privileges required
LowA basic user account is enough.
User interaction
NoneNo action by a victim is required.
Scope
UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
Confidentiality
HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
Integrity
HighData or code can be modified at will.
Availability
HighThe component can be taken down completely.

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.

Scoring systemScoreSeverityScored by
CVSS 3.17.8HighNVD
CVSS 3.08.8HighCNA (hackerone.com)

Official description

A vulnerability exists on all versions of the Ivanti Secure Access Client below 22.6R1.1, which could allow a locally authenticated attacker to exploit a vulnerable configuration, potentially leading to a denial of service (DoS) condition on the user machine and, in some cases, resulting in a full compromise of the system.

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Uncontrolled Resource Consumption

The product does not properly control the allocation and maintenance of a limited resource.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • Ensure that protocols have specific limits of scale placed on them.
  • Ensure that all failures in resource allocation place the system into a safe posture.

More Uncontrolled Resource Consumption vulnerabilities (CWE-400)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Other vulnerabilities in Secure Access Client Windows

All Secure Access Client Windows vulnerabilities

Recent Uncontrolled Resource Consumption vulnerabilities

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