CVE-2021-44720: In Ivanti Pulse Secure Pulse Connect Secure (PCS) before 9.1R12, the administrator password is stored in the H

Q: How do I fix CVE-2021-44720?

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

Q: Is CVE-2021-44720 being exploited?

CVE-2021-44720 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2021-44720 affect?

CVE-2021-44720 affects connect secure, pulse connect secure. Severity is high (CVSS 7.2). In Ivanti Pulse Secure Pulse Connect Secure (PCS) before 9.1R12, the administrator password is stored in the HTML source code of the "Maintenance > Push Configuration > Targets > Target Name" targets.cgi screen. A read-only administrative u

This month

HIGH 7.2DOWNGRADEUPGRADE

CVE-2021-44720 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.2) affecting connect secure, pulse connect secure. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

In Ivanti Pulse Secure Pulse Connect Secure (PCS) before 9.1R12, the administrator password is stored in the HTML source code of the "Maintenance > Push Configuration > Targets > Target Name" targets.cgi screen. A read-only administrative user can escalate to a read-write administrative role.

Why this priority

High severity

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	2.3% (top 17%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-798
Published	2022-08-12
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · 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

2022-08-12 15:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 04:12 UTCUpdated Record last modified

ivanti connect secure DOWNGRADE

Affected: 9.1 · 9.1 r1 · 9.1 r10.0 · 9.1 r11.0 · 9.1 r11.3 · 9.1 r11.4 · 9.1 r2 · 9.1 r3

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 9.1

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 9.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison connect-secure sudo apt install connect-secure=<VERSION_BEFORE_9.1> 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_9.1> 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: 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 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 · 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-2021-44720?

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

Is CVE-2021-44720 being exploited?

CVE-2021-44720 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-2021-44720 affect?

CVE-2021-44720 affects connect secure, pulse connect secure. Severity is high (CVSS 7.2). In Ivanti Pulse Secure Pulse Connect Secure (PCS) before 9.1R12, the administrator password is stored in the HTML source code of the "Maintenance > Push Configuration > Targets > Target Name" targets.cgi screen. A read-only administrative u

How urgent is CVE-2021-44720?

Priority 46/100. High severity

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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