CVE-2021-22893
KEVRansomware UseIvanti Pulse Connect Secure Use-After-Free Vulnerability
Description
Ivanti Pulse Connect Secure contains a use-after-free vulnerability that allow a remote, unauthenticated attacker to execute code via license services.
Pulse Connect Secure 9.0R3/9.1R1 and higher is vulnerable to an authentication bypass vulnerability exposed by the Windows File Share Browser and Pulse Secure Collaboration features of Pulse Connect Secure that can allow an unauthenticated user to perform remote arbitrary code execution on the Pulse Connect Secure gateway. This vulnerability has been exploited in the wild.
CVSS 3.1 vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:HPublishedApr 23, 2021
Last modifiedAug 12, 2026
Added to KEVNov 3, 2021
Remediation dueMay 3, 2022
References
- blog.pulsesecure.net/pulse-connect-secure-security-update/Vendor Advisory
- kb.cert.org/vuls/id/213092Third Party AdvisoryUS Government Resource
- kb.pulsesecure.net/articles/Pulse_Security_Advisories/SA44784/Broken LinkVendor Advisory
- fireeye.com/blog/threat-research/2021/04/suspected-apt-actors-leverage-bypass-techniques-pulse-secure-zero-day.htmlThird Party Advisory
- kb.cert.org/vuls/id/213092US Government Resource
- cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2021-22893US Government Resource
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Risk assessment · Critical
Actively exploited and used by ransomware crews. Patch immediately.
- Exploitation
- Confirmed in the wild (CISA KEV)
- Federal remediation deadline
- Overdue by 1637 days
- Ransomware
- Used in known ransomware campaigns
- CVSS
- 10.0 CRITICAL
- EPSS (30-day exploit probability)
- 47.2% · top 1% of all CVEs
- Weakness
- CWE-287
- Attack vector
- Network, remotely reachable
- Preconditions
- No privileges and no user interaction
Recommended actions
- 1.Apply updates per vendor instructions.
- 2.Treat as emergency change: patch or isolate internet-facing instances first.
- 3.Review exposure: confirm which instances are reachable from the internet and restrict access until patched.
- 4.Hunt for compromise: review logs for the disclosure window, not just from the patch date.
- 5.Verify offline/immutable backups and segment the affected systems. This flaw is used for ransomware initial access.
Assessment is derived automatically from the live signals above; verify against your own asset inventory.