Nginx ConnectWise ScreenConnect Authentication Bypass
The following analytic detects attempts to exploit the ConnectWise ScreenConnect CVE-2024-1709 vulnerability, which allows attackers to bypass authentication via alternate paths or channels. It leverages Nginx access…
Description
The following analytic detects attempts to exploit the ConnectWise ScreenConnect CVE-2024-1709 vulnerability, which allows attackers to bypass authentication via alternate paths or channels. It leverages Nginx access logs to identify web requests to the SetupWizard.aspx page, indicating potential exploitation. This activity is significant as it can lead to unauthorized administrative access and remote code execution. If confirmed malicious, attackers could create administrative users and gain full control over the affected ScreenConnect instance, posing severe security risks. Immediate remediation by updating to version 23.9.8 or above is recommended.
Detection logic
Detection requirements
- Platform
- ContainersESXiIaaSLinuxmacOSNetwork DevicesWindows
The rule states no platform. This is derived from the ATT&CK technique it maps to.
- Log source category
- nginx_access
Known benign triggers
- False positives are not expected, as the detection is based on the presence of web requests to the SetupWizard.aspx page, which is not a common page to be accessed by legitimate users. Note that the analytic is limited to HTTP POST and a status of 200 to reduce false positives. Modify the query as needed to reduce false positives or hunt for additional indicators of compromise.
MITRE ATT&CK mappings
0 exclusive techniques.This is coverage no other published rule has; it is not this rule's total technique count.
References
| Reference | Cited by |
|---|---|
| docs.splunk.com/Documentation/AddOns/released/NGINX/Sourcetypes | Only this detection cites it |
| gist.github.com/MHaggis/26f59108b04da8f1d870c9cc3a3c8eec | Only this detection cites it |
| www.connectwise.com/company/trust/security-bulletins/connectwise-screenconnect-23.9.8 | 5from 2 sources |
| www.huntress.com/blog/a-catastrophe-for-control-understanding-the-screenconnect-authentication-bypass | 4 |
| www.huntress.com/blog/detection-guidance-for-connectwise-cwe-288-2 | 4 |
From the source
- At source
- Open at source
- Upstream identifier
- b3f7a803-e802-448b-8eb2-e796b223bccc
- Tagged by the source as
- ConnectWise ScreenConnect VulnerabilitiesHellcat RansomwareScattered Lapsus$ HuntersSeashell BlizzardWeb ProxywebSplunk CloudSplunk EnterpriseSplunk Enterprise Securitynetwork
Licence
- Published under
- Apache License 2.0Read the licence
- Attribution
- Required
- Obtained under
- Apache-2.0Read the origin licence
Authorship
- Written by
- Published
- Sep 22, 2026
- Version
- 2