CVE-2020-15505
📋 TL;DR
This is a critical remote code execution vulnerability in MobileIron enterprise mobility management products. Attackers can execute arbitrary code on affected systems via Java deserialization flaws in Hessian-based communication. Organizations using vulnerable MobileIron Core, Connector, Sentry, Monitor, or RDB versions are at risk.
💻 Affected Systems
- MobileIron Core
- MobileIron Connector
- MobileIron Sentry
- MobileIron Monitor
- MobileIron Reporting Database (RDB)
📦 What is this software?
Core by Mobileiron
Core by Mobileiron
Core by Mobileiron
Core by Mobileiron
Core by Mobileiron
Monitor And Reporting Database by Mobileiron
Sentry by Mobileiron
Sentry by Mobileiron
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete system compromise allowing attackers to install malware, steal sensitive data, pivot to internal networks, and maintain persistent access.
Likely Case
Initial foothold leading to data exfiltration, lateral movement within the network, and deployment of ransomware or other malware.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if systems are isolated, patched quickly, and monitored for exploitation attempts.
🎯 Exploit Status
Public exploit code available via Packet Storm. Exploitation requires network access to vulnerable endpoints.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Core & Connector: 10.6.1.0 and later; Sentry: 9.8.1 and later; Monitor and RDB: 2.0.0.2 and later
Vendor Advisory: https://www.mobileiron.com/en/blog/mobileiron-security-updates-available
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Download latest patched version from MobileIron support portal. 2. Backup current configuration. 3. Apply patch following MobileIron upgrade documentation. 4. Restart services. 5. Verify patch installation.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Network Segmentation
allRestrict network access to MobileIron management interfaces to trusted IPs only
Web Application Firewall Rules
allBlock Hessian serialization traffic patterns at network perimeter
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Isolate vulnerable systems from internet and restrict internal network access
- Implement strict monitoring for exploitation attempts and unusual process execution
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check MobileIron admin console for version number and compare against affected versions listCheck Version:
Check via MobileIron web interface: Admin → About or System → Version InformationVerify Fix Applied:
Verify version is patched (Core/Connector ≥10.6.1.0, Sentry ≥9.8.1, Monitor/RDB ≥2.0.0.2) and test functionality📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual Java process execution
- Hessian serialization errors
- Unexpected network connections from MobileIron services
Network Indicators:
- Hessian protocol traffic to MobileIron ports (default 443, 8443)
- Unusual outbound connections from MobileIron servers
SIEM Query:
source="mobileiron" AND (event_type="process_execution" OR protocol="hessian")🔗 References
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/161097/MobileIron-MDM-Hessian-Based-Java-Deserialization-Remote-Code-Execution.html
- https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/41.html
- https://perchsecurity.com/perch-news/cve-spotlight-mobileiron-rce-cve-2020-15505/
- https://www.mobileiron.com/en/blog/mobileiron-security-updates-available
- https://www.mobileiron.com/en/blog/mobileiron-security-updates-available
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/161097/MobileIron-MDM-Hessian-Based-Java-Deserialization-Remote-Code-Execution.html
- https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/41.html
- https://perchsecurity.com/perch-news/cve-spotlight-mobileiron-rce-cve-2020-15505/
- https://www.mobileiron.com/en/blog/mobileiron-security-updates-available
- https://www.mobileiron.com/en/blog/mobileiron-security-updates-available
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2020-15505
