CVE-2021-22900: Ivanti Pulse Connect Secure Unrestricted File Upload Vulnerability

Q: How do I fix CVE-2021-22900?

connect secure: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; pulse connect secure: upgrade to newer than 9.1. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2021-22900 being exploited?

Yes. CVE-2021-22900 is on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list, so treat it as patch-now.

Q: What does CVE-2021-22900 affect?

CVE-2021-22900 affects connect secure, pulse connect secure. Severity is high (CVSS 7.2). A vulnerability allowed multiple unrestricted uploads in Pulse Connect Secure before 9.1R11.4 that could lead to an authenticated administrator to perform a file write via a maliciously crafted archive upload in the administrator web interf

Q: How urgent is CVE-2021-22900?

Priority 74/100. High severity; EPSS top 3%: very likely to be exploited; Exploited in the wild (CISA KEV)

Patch now

HIGH 7.2EXPLOITEDDOWNGRADEUPGRADE

CVE-2021-22900 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.2) affecting connect secure, pulse connect secure, reported as exploited in the wild. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

A vulnerability allowed multiple unrestricted uploads in Pulse Connect Secure before 9.1R11.4 that could lead to an authenticated administrator to perform a file write via a maliciously crafted archive upload in the administrator web interface.

Why this priority

High severity
EPSS top 3%: very likely to be exploited
Exploited in the wild (CISA KEV)

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.2 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	High
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	14.1% (top 3%)
CISA exploited list	Yes, fix due 2022-05-03
Weakness	CWE-94, CWE-669
Published	2021-05-27
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): HackerOne · Vendor: ivanti · pulsesecure

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2021-05-27 12:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2021-11-03Exploited Added to the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list
2022-05-03Deadline CISA due date for US federal agencies to patch
2026-06-17 03:37 UTCUpdated Record last modified

ivanti connect secure DOWNGRADE

Affected: 9.0 · 9.0 r1 · 9.0 r1.0 · 9.0 r2 · 9.0 r2.0 · 9.0 r2.1 · 9.0 r3 · 9.0 r3.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 9.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy connect-secure || rpm -q connect-secure || connect-secure --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 9.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison connect-secure sudo apt install connect-secure=<VERSION_BEFORE_9.0> sudo apt-mark hold connect-secure

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list connect-secure sudo dnf downgrade connect-secure-<VERSION_BEFORE_9.0> sudo dnf versionlock add connect-secure

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

pulsesecure pulse connect secure UPGRADE

Affected: <= 9.1

Fixed in: newer than 9.1

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy pulse-connect-secure || rpm -q pulse-connect-secure || pulse-connect-secure --version

2. UPGRADE to newer than 9.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade pulse-connect-secure

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade pulse-connect-secure

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · CISA KEV catalog · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2021-22900?

connect secure: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; pulse connect secure: upgrade to newer than 9.1. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2021-22900 being exploited?

Yes. CVE-2021-22900 is on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list, so treat it as patch-now.

What does CVE-2021-22900 affect?

CVE-2021-22900 affects connect secure, pulse connect secure. Severity is high (CVSS 7.2). A vulnerability allowed multiple unrestricted uploads in Pulse Connect Secure before 9.1R11.4 that could lead to an authenticated administrator to perform a file write via a maliciously crafted archive upload in the administrator web interf

How urgent is CVE-2021-22900?

Priority 74/100. High severity; EPSS top 3%: very likely to be exploited; Exploited in the wild (CISA KEV)

Software pages

Ivanti vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2026-111357 HIGH 7.0 EXPLOITED MITIGATE Ivanti Connect Secure Missing Authentication for Critical Function Vulnerability
CVE-2025-55141 HIGH 8.8 UPGRADE UPGRADE Missing authorization in Ivanti Connect Secure before 22.7R2.9 or 22.8R2, Ivanti Policy Secure before 22.7R1.6
CVE-2025-55142 HIGH 8.8 UPGRADE UPGRADE Missing authorization in Ivanti Connect Secure before 22.7R2.9 or 22.8R2, Ivanti Policy Secure before 22.7R1.6
CVE-2025-55145 HIGH 8.9 UPGRADE UPGRADE Missing authorization in Ivanti Connect Secure before 22.7R2.9 or 22.8R2, Ivanti Policy Secure before 22.7R1.6
CVE-2025-55147 HIGH 8.8 UPGRADE UPGRADE CSRF in Ivanti Connect Secure before 22.7R2.9 or 22.8R2, Ivanti Policy Secure before 22.7R1.6, Ivanti ZTA Gate

References

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