CVE-2021-22908: A buffer overflow vulnerability exists in Windows File Resource Profiles in 9.X allows a remote authenticated

This week

HIGH 8.8DOWNGRADEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2021-22908 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 8.8) affecting connect secure, pulse connect secure. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

A buffer overflow vulnerability exists in Windows File Resource Profiles in 9.X allows a remote authenticated user with privileges to browse SMB shares to execute arbitrary code as the root user. As of version 9.1R3, this permission is not enabled by default.

Why this priority

High severity
EPSS top 1%: very likely to be exploited

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	8.8 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	69.4% (top 1%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-120
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
2026-06-17 03:38 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 DOWNGRADE

Affected: 9.0rx

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 9.0rx

1. Check installed version

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

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

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

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

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

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · 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-2021-22908?

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

Is CVE-2021-22908 being exploited?

CVE-2021-22908 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2021-22908 affect?

CVE-2021-22908 affects connect secure, pulse connect secure. Severity is high (CVSS 8.8). A buffer overflow vulnerability exists in Windows File Resource Profiles in 9.X allows a remote authenticated user with privileges to browse SMB shares to execute arbitrary code as the root user. As of version 9.1R3, this permission is not

How urgent is CVE-2021-22908?

Priority 56/100. High severity; EPSS top 1%: very likely to be exploited

Software pages

Windows vulnerabilities · Ivanti vulnerabilities

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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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