CVE-2021-34788
mediumpriority · track · 28EPSS 0.002 · 7 %ileEURUUSEPSS · scored 2026-10-27
A vulnerability in the shared library loading mechanism of Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client for Linux and Mac OS could allow an authenticated, local attacker to perform a shared library hijacking attack on an affected device if the VPN Posture (HostScan) Module is installed on the AnyConnect client. This vulnerability is due to a race condition in the signature verification process for shared library files that are loaded on an affected device. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a series of crafted interprocess communication (IPC) messages to the AnyConnect process. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code on the affected device with root privileges. To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker must have a valid account on the system.
remediations
Vendor fix, mitigation, or workaround guidance, as published by each source.
A vendor fix is available.
- FixedCisco Secure Clientcisco_csaf
Cisco has released software updates that address this vulnerability.
https://software.cisco.com
cvss
Technical severity, 0–10. One row per scoring source.
base score 0–10 · higher = more severe · hover a vector to decode⚠ sources disagree · medium–high · 6.4–7
ssvc
A stakeholder decision — act, attend, or track — from exploitation and impact.
weaknesses
The CWE weakness classes this flaw belongs to.
affected products (4)
Products and version ranges known to be affected.
- cisco anyconnect secure mobility client< 4.10.03104nvdUScpe:2.3:a:cisco:anyconnect_secure_mobility_client:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
advisories (1)
Vendor and ecosystem advisories describing this.
- cisco-sa-anyconnect-lib-hija-cAFB7x4qCisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client for Linux and Mac OS with VPN Posture (HostScan) Module Shared Library Hijacking Vulnerability2021-10-06csaf · cisco_csafUS
A vulnerability in the shared library loading mechanism of Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client for Linux and Mac OS could allow an authenticated, local attacker to perform a shared library hijacking attack on an affected device if the VPN Posture (HostScan) Module is installed on the AnyConnect client. This vulnerability is due to a race condition in the signature verification process for shared library files that are loaded on an affected device. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a series of crafted interprocess communication (IPC) messages to the AnyConnect process. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code on the affected device with root privileges. To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker must have a valid account on the system. Cisco has released software updates that address this vulnerability. There are no workarounds that address this vulnerability.
also known as (4)
Other names and identifiers for this entity.
sources
Which sources assert this record, and when.
references (7)
External citations — patches, advisories, analysis.
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-34788cnnvd
- https://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-anyconnect-lib-hija-cAFB7x4qcnnvd
- https://vigilance.fr/vulnerability/Cisco-AnyConnect-Secure-Mobility-Client-privilege-escalation-via-VPN-Posture-36603cnnvd
- https://www.auscert.org.au/bulletins/ESB-2021.3311cnnvd
- https://www.cybersecurity-help.cz/vdb/SB2021100716cnnvd
- https://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-anyconnect-lib-hija-cAFB7x4qenisa_euvd
- https://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-anyconnect-lib-hija-cAFB7x4qVendor Advisorynvd
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