# CVE-2011-2040: Code injection in n/a

> Remote attackers can execute arbitrary code on Linux and Mac OS X systems by exploiting a lack of authenticity verification in the Cisco AnyConnect client's download mechanism.

- **Severity:** Critical 9.3 (`AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** A user has to click or open something
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 2 Jun 2011
- **Updated:** 6 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-qh85-rfph-r6p5

## What is CVE-2011-2040?

CVE-2011-2040 is a critical code injection vulnerability in Cisco Anyconnect Secure Mobility Client, published on 2 Jun 2011. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

### Official description

The helper application in Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client (formerly AnyConnect VPN Client) before 2.5.3041, and 3.0.x before 3.0.629, on Linux and Mac OS X downloads a client executable file (vpndownloader.exe) without verifying its authenticity, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via the url property to a Java applet, aka Bug ID CSCsy05934.

Weakness: CWE-20 (Improper Input Validation)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2011-2040?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Cisco Anyconnect Secure Mobility Client.

## How do I fix CVE-2011-2040?

No fix has been published for CVE-2011-2040 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2011-2040 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2011-2040 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in Cisco Anyconnect Secure Mobility Client

- [CVE-2020-3433](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-3433/): Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client for Windows DLL Hijacking (high 7.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2020-3153](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-3153/): Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client for Windows Uncontrolled Search Path (medium 6.5, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2012-3088](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2012-3088/): Security feature bypass in n/a (critical 9.3)
- [CVE-2012-2493](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2012-2493/): Code injection in n/a (critical 9.3)
- [CVE-2023-20178](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-20178/): Privilege escalation in Cisco Secure Client (high 7.8)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2011-2040 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2011-2040 is a critical code injection vulnerability in Cisco Anyconnect Secure Mobility Client, published on 2 Jun 2011. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2011-2040 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: Cisco Anyconnect Secure Mobility Client. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2011-2040/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2011-2040/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2011-2040
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2011-2040
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2011-2040

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2011-2040/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.