CVE-2021-41583: vpn-user-portal (aka eduVPN or Let's Connect!) before 2.3.14, as packaged for Debian 10, Debian 11, and Fedora

This month

MEDIUM 6.5WATCHLISTUPGRADE

CVE-2021-41583 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 6.5) affecting vpn-user-portal. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

vpn-user-portal (aka eduVPN or Let's Connect!) before 2.3.14, as packaged for Debian 10, Debian 11, and Fedora, allows remote authenticated users to obtain OS filesystem access, because of the interaction of QR codes with an exec that uses the -r option. This can be leveraged to obtain additional VPN access.

Why this priority

On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	6.5 (Medium)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	1.9% (top 21%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-20
Published	2021-09-24
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: eduvpn

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2021-09-24 03:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 04:08 UTCUpdated Record last modified

eduvpn vpn-user-portal UPGRADE

Affected: >= 2.3.2 and < 2.3.14

Fixed in: 2.3.14

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.3.2

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy vpn-user-portal || rpm -q vpn-user-portal || vpn-user-portal --version

2. UPGRADE to 2.3.14 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade vpn-user-portal

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade vpn-user-portal

Note

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

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.3.2 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison vpn-user-portal sudo apt install vpn-user-portal=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.3.2> sudo apt-mark hold vpn-user-portal

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list vpn-user-portal sudo dnf downgrade vpn-user-portal-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.3.2> sudo dnf versionlock add vpn-user-portal

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-2021-41583?

vpn-user-portal: upgrade to 2.3.14. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2021-41583 being exploited?

CVE-2021-41583 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-2021-41583 affect?

CVE-2021-41583 affects vpn-user-portal. Severity is medium (CVSS 6.5). vpn-user-portal (aka eduVPN or Let's Connect!) before 2.3.14, as packaged for Debian 10, Debian 11, and Fedora, allows remote authenticated users to obtain OS filesystem access, because of the interaction of QR codes with an exec that uses

How urgent is CVE-2021-41583?

Priority 48/100. On your watchlist

Software pages

Debian vulnerabilities

References

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