CVE-2019-11539
Confirmed PUBLISHEDIn Pulse Secure Pulse Connect Secure version 9.0RX before 9.0R3.4, 8.3RX before 8.3R7.1, 8.2RX before 8.2R12.1, and 8.1RX before 8.1R15.1 and Pulse...
Recommended Action
Prioritize remediation. Validate affected assets and apply vendor fixes on an accelerated timeline.
At a Glance
In Pulse Secure Pulse Connect Secure version 9.0RX before 9.0R3.4, 8.3RX before 8.3R7.1, 8.2RX before 8.2R12.1, and 8.1RX before 8.1R15.1 and Pulse Policy Secure version 9.0RX before 9.0R3.2, 5.4RX before 5.4R7.1, 5.3RX before 5.3R12.1, 5.2RX before 5.2R12.1, and 5.1RX before 5.1R15.1, the admin web interface allows an authenticated attacker to inject and execute commands.
- CVE Published
- Apr 26, 2019
- Exploitation Reported
- Nov 03, 2021
- CVSS
- 8.0 High
- EPSS
- —
Affected Versions
| Vendor | Product | Version | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| n/a |
n/a
|
n/a |
Affected |
CVE References
- VU#927237 kb.cert.org · Third-Party Advisory https://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/927237
- 108073 securityfocus.com · VDB Entry http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/108073
- kb.pulsesecure.net/articles/Pulse_Security_Advisories/SA44101 kb.pulsesecure.net · CVE Record https://kb.pulsesecure.net/articles/Pulse_Security_Advisories/SA44101
- psirt.global.sonicwall.com/vuln-detail/SNWLID-2019-0010 psirt.global.sonicwall.com · CVE Record https://psirt.global.sonicwall.com/vuln-detail/SNWLID-2019-0010
- i.blackhat.com/USA-19/Wednesday/us-19-Tsai-Infiltrating-Cor... i.blackhat.com · CVE Record https://i.blackhat.com/USA-19/Wednesday/us-19-Tsai-Infiltrating-Corpo...
Show 4 more references
- packetstormsecurity.com/files/154376/Pulse-Secure-8.1R15.1-8.2-8.3-9... packetstormsecurity.com · CVE Record http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/154376/Pulse-Secure-8.1R15.1-8.2...
- devco.re/blog/2019/09/02/attacking-ssl-vpn-part-3-the... devco.re · CVE Record https://devco.re/blog/2019/09/02/attacking-ssl-vpn-part-3-the-golden-...
- packetstormsecurity.com/files/155277/Pulse-Secure-VPN-Arbitrary-Comm... packetstormsecurity.com · CVE Record http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/155277/Pulse-Secure-VPN-Arbitrar...
- packetstormsecurity.com/files/162092/Pulse-Secure-VPN-Arbitrary-Comm... packetstormsecurity.com · CVE Record http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/162092/Pulse-Secure-VPN-Arbitrar...
Recommended Actions
- Prioritize remediation. Validate affected assets and apply vendor fixes on an accelerated timeline.
- Check enrichment artifacts for scanner coverage and available PoCs before rolling remediation validation.
- Use the Pro API to automate enrichment, telemetry, and workflow delivery for VM, SOC, and CTI pipelines.
Known Exploited Vulnerability Sources
Catalogues that list this CVE as a known exploited vulnerability.
Per-source evidence links for KEV attestations are available through the KEVIntel Pro API.
Learn about Pro API access| Source | Added |
|---|---|
| CISA First | 2021-11-03 00:00 UTC |
Scanner Artifacts
Nuclei and Metasploit references linked to this CVE.
| Scanner | Reference | Detected |
|---|---|---|
| Metasploit | https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/blob/master/modules/exploits/linux/http/pulse_secure_cmd_exec.rb | Apr 28, 2025 |
Virtual Patch
Compensating WAF rules to help reduce exposure to this CVE. Rule content and deployable vendor exports are available with KEVIntel Enterprise.
KEVIntel does not currently have a virtual patch for this CVE. When available, KEVIntel virtual patches ship as deployable ModSecurity, Cloudflare, and AWS WAF rules.
Enterprise feature. Virtual patch rule content and deployable vendor exports (ModSecurity, Cloudflare, AWS WAF) are available to KEVIntel Enterprise users.
CVSS Scores
CVSS:3.0/AC:H/AV:N/A:H/C:H/I:H/PR:H/S:C/UI:N
Exploitation Status
Exploited in the wild
Recorded 2021-11-03 00:00:00 UTC · CISA
Used in malware
Recorded 2021-11-03 00:00:00 UTC · CISA
Proof of concept available
Recorded 2019-09-04 13:06:02 UTC · GitHub
Weaknesses (CWE)
-
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')
Scanner Integrations
| Scanner | Reference | Detected |
|---|---|---|
| Metasploit | https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/blob/master/modules/exploits/linux/http/pulse_secure_cmd_exec.rb | Apr 28, 2025 |
Potential Proof of Concepts
These PoCs are unverified and could contain malware. Use at your own risk.
github · Created 2019-09-04 13:06:02 UTC · 132 stars
Exploit for the Post-Auth RCE vulnerability in Pulse Secure Connect
Timeline
Key exploitation, disclosure, scanner coverage, and KEV attestation events for this CVE.
-
15:02 UTC about 1 year ago15:02 UTC · about 1 year ago
Metasploit module available
Exploit module available
-
00:00 UTC over 4 years ago00:00 UTC · over 4 years ago
Added to CISA KEV
Listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog
-
00:00 UTC over 4 years ago00:00 UTC · over 4 years ago
First public exploitation report
Exploit observed in malware
-
13:06 UTC almost 7 years ago13:06 UTC · almost 7 years ago
Public PoC available
Public proof-of-concept code published
-
01:39 UTC about 7 years ago01:39 UTC · about 7 years ago
CVE published
Vulnerability disclosed publicly
-
00:00 UTC about 7 years ago00:00 UTC · about 7 years ago
CVE ID reserved
Identifier reserved by the CNA
Automate This Intelligence with the Pro API
Confidence scoring, exploit status, sensor telemetry, PoCs, scanner integrations, mentions, and tags are available programmatically for VM, SOC, and CTI workflows.
Pro API Example
GET /api/v2/pro/kevs/CVE-2019-11539
{
"cve_id": "CVE-2019-11539",
"title": "In Pulse Secure Pulse Connect Secure version 9.0RX before 9.0R3.4, 8.3RX befo...",
"affected_vendor": "Pulse Secure",
"affected_product": "Pulse Connect Secure",
"affected_versions": [
{ "vendor": "...", "product": "...", "status": "affected", "display_label": "..." }
],
"confidence": "Confirmed",
"cvss_score": 8.0,
"epss_score": null,
"exploit_status": {
"exploited_in_the_wild": true,
"active_exploitation_observed": false
},
"sensor_telemetry": { "...": "Pro API fields" },
"proof_of_concepts": [ "..." ],
"scanner_integrations": [ "..." ]
}