Detect Ivanti Endpoint Manager (EPM) Authentication Bypass (CVE-2026-1603) in IBM QRadar
CVE-2026-1603 is an authentication bypass vulnerability (CWE-288) in Ivanti Endpoint Manager (EPM). This KEV-listed vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms and gain unauthorized access to the EPM management interface. Successful exploitation may lead to full compromise of managed endpoints, lateral movement, and deployment of malicious software across the enterprise.
MITRE ATT&CK
QRadar Detection Query
SELECT
DATEFORMAT(starttime, 'YYYY-MM-dd HH:mm:ss') AS event_time,
sourceip,
destinationip,
destinationport,
username,
QIDNAME(qid) AS event_name,
category,
logsourcename(logsourceid) AS log_source,
"Outcome" AS auth_outcome,
LONG("EventID") AS windows_event_id
FROM events
WHERE
LOGSOURCETYPENAME(devicetype) IN ('Microsoft Windows Security Event Log', 'Ivanti Endpoint Manager')
AND (
("EventID" IN ('4624', '4648') AND "LogonType" = '3'
AND (username = '' OR LOWER(username) IN ('anonymous logon', 'guest', 'anonymous')))
OR
("EventID" = '4625'
AND LOWER("FailureReason") ILIKE '%bypass%')
OR
(LOGSOURCETYPENAME(devicetype) = 'Ivanti Endpoint Manager'
AND LOWER("Outcome") ILIKE '%unauthenticated%')
)
AND (
LOWER(applicationname) ILIKE '%landesk%'
OR LOWER(applicationname) ILIKE '%ivanti%'
OR LOWER(applicationname) ILIKE '%epm%'
OR destinationport IN (9675, 9676)
)
ORDER BY starttime DESC
LAST 24 HOURSQRadar AQL query identifying authentication bypass indicators against Ivanti EPM by searching for anonymous or empty credential logon successes, EPM-specific ports, and process names associated with Ivanti EPM management services within the last 24 hours.
Data Sources
Required Tables
False Positives & Tuning
- Authorized scheduled tasks using service accounts that appear with minimal or no username in log records
- EPM agent bootstrap processes that perform initial anonymous outreach before receiving credentials
- Penetration testing or red team exercises targeting the EPM environment with authorized scope
- Misconfigured log sources forwarding events without user context fields populated
Other platforms for CVE-2026-1603
Testing Methodology
Validate this detection against 3 adversary techniques from Atomic Red Team. Each test below lists the behaviour to exercise and the telemetry you should expect to see. Executable commands and cleanup steps are available with Pro.
- Test 1Simulate Anonymous Network Logon to EPM Port
Expected signal: Windows Security EventID 4624 with LogonType=3 and AccountName blank or 'ANONYMOUS LOGON' on the EPM server; IIS access log entry with 401/200 status for /ldlogon/ from test source IP; network flow record on EPM management port 9675.
- Test 2EPM Process Spawning Suspicious Child Process
Expected signal: DeviceProcessEvents entry showing cmd.exe spawned with working directory in Ivanti Management Suite path; process creation event with parent process in EPM directory; command line containing 'whoami' captured in endpoint telemetry.
- Test 3Authentication Bypass Simulation via Empty Credential HTTP Request
Expected signal: IIS access log entry on EPM server showing request to /ldlogon/ with empty Authorization header from test IP; network flow record; if EPM processes the request, a Windows Security EventID 4624 or 4648 with minimal credential context.
Unlock Pro Content
Get the full detection package for CVE-2026-1603 including response playbook, investigation guide, and atomic red team tests.