Unauthenticated code execution via license-service use-after-free
Published Apr 23, 2021 · Updated Aug 12, 2026
Authentication bypass in Pulse Connect Secure 9.0R3 through 9.1R11.3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on the gateway. Multiple use-after-free errors in the license service mishandle unauthenticated requests exposed through the Windows File Share Browser and Collaboration features. No credentials or user interaction are required; successful exploitation grants control of the gateway, and exploitation has occurred in the wild.
Summary
What happened
Authentication bypass in Pulse Connect Secure 9.0R3 through 9.1R11.3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on the gateway. Multiple use-after-free errors in the license service mishandle unauthenticated requests exposed through the Windows File Share Browser and Collaboration features. No credentials or user interaction are required; successful exploitation grants control of the gateway, and exploitation has occurred in the wild.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2021-22893
- Published
- Apr 23, 2021
- Updated
- Aug 12, 2026
- Vendor
- Pulse Secure
- Product
- Pulse Connect Secure
- Classifications
- CWE-416, CWE-287, T1190
- Attack vector
- network
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Apr 17, 2021Exploitation reportedUNC2630 exploitation of fully patched PCS appliances
- Apr 23, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Aug 12, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.
- Affected versionversion=PCS 9.0R3 or above, PCS 9.1R1 and above
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.
Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.
Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
No public exploit references are available in this record.
Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.
Reported exploitation
- UNC2630 exploitation of fully patched PCS appliancesthreat actor
- CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities entryknown exploited catalog
Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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