CVE-2021-45809Public exploit

Root command execution via unchecked D-Bus script argument

Published Mar 22, 2022 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

Incorrect access control in GlobalProtect-openconnect before 1.4.3 allows local users to execute arbitrary commands as root via D-Bus. GPService accepts an attacker-controlled --script argument through com.yuezk.qt.GPService and passes it to the privileged OpenConnect process without authorization. A local account and access to any VPN service are sufficient; D-Bus activation exposes GPService even when its systemd unit is stopped, resulting in root code execution.

CVSS severity9.8
Critical
EPSS probability1.65%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Incorrect access control in GlobalProtect-openconnect before 1.4.3 allows local users to execute arbitrary commands as root via D-Bus. GPService accepts an attacker-controlled --script argument through com.yuezk.qt.GPService and passes it to the privileged OpenConnect process without authorization. A local account and access to any VPN service are sufficient; D-Bus activation exposes GPService even when its systemd unit is stopped, resulting in root code execution.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-45809
Published
Mar 22, 2022
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
Unavailable

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Mar 22, 2022CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 4, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Affected buildAffected product and version details are unavailable.

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesUnavailable in this record.

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

9.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
10.0NIST NVDAV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C

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.

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No observations available

Sep 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
PrivilegesUnavailable
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

T1068Exploitation for Privilege Escalation

Public exploit references

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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