CVE-2021-22893 Ivanti Pulse Connect Secure Use-After-Free

Exploited in the wild Critical 10.0 Published 23 Apr 2021 Updated 12 Aug 2026

Unauthenticated attackers can bypass authentication to execute arbitrary code on Pulse Connect Secure gateways via specific collaboration features.

Exploited in the wild: Since 3 Nov 2021
Login needed: Not needed
Attackable: Over the internet
Victim action needed: Not needed
Fix: None listed

What is CVE-2021-22893?

CVE-2021-22893 is a critical authentication bypass vulnerability in Ivanti Connect Secure, published on 23 Apr 2021. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

Official description

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.

Weakness: CWE-416, CWE-287

Which versions are affected by CVE-2021-22893?

It affects 1 product.

Products include Ivanti Connect Secure.

How do I fix CVE-2021-22893?

No fix has been published for CVE-2021-22893 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available. US federal agencies must fix it by 3 May 2022.

Upgrade, and rotate credentials and sessions that may have been exposed. More about Authentication bypass.

Is CVE-2021-22893 being exploited?

Yes. Attackers have exploited CVE-2021-22893 in the wild since at least 3 Nov 2021, including in ransomware campaigns.

Public exploit code: 3 proofs of concept on GitHub.

All Ivanti Connect Secure vulnerabilities

Sources

Also known as GHSA-hcxw-prp6-q3jq.