How severe is CVE-2021-45809?

CVE-2021-45809 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2021-45809 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (73rd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2021-45809?

CVE-2021-45809 affects Globalprotect-openconnect Project Globalprotect-openconnect. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2021-45809?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2021-45809 published?

CVE-2021-45809 was published on 2022-03-22 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2021-45809

CVE-2021-45809 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Globalprotect-openconnect Project Globalprotect-openconnect with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.8)
CVSS v2: 10.0
EPSS exploit prediction: 2% (73rd percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Affected product: Globalprotect-openconnect Project Globalprotect-openconnect
Published: 2022-03-22
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

GlobalProtect-openconnect versions prior to 1.4.3 are affected by incorrect access control in GPService through DBUS, GUI Application. The way GlobalProtect-Openconnect is set up enables arbitrary users to execute commands as root by submitting the `--script=<script>` parameter.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2021-45809?: GlobalProtect-openconnect versions prior to 1.4.3 are affected by incorrect access control in GPService through DBUS, GUI Application. The way GlobalProtect-Openconnect is set up enables arbitrary users to execute commands as root by submitting the `--script=<script>` parameter.
How severe is CVE-2021-45809?: CVE-2021-45809 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2021-45809 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (73rd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2021-45809?: CVE-2021-45809 affects Globalprotect-openconnect Project Globalprotect-openconnect. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2021-45809?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2021-45809 published?: CVE-2021-45809 was published on 2022-03-22 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://github.com/yuezk/GlobalProtect-openconnect/issues/113

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:globalprotect-openconnect_project:globalprotect-openconnect:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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