OMENWAVE modelled vulnerability-chaining pathways

CVE-2021-22893

Pulse Connect Secure 9.0R3/9.1R1 and higher is vulnerable to an authentication bypass vulnerability exposed by the Windows File Share Browser and Pulse Secure Collaboration features of Pulse Connect Secure that can allow an unauthenticated user to perform remote arbitrary code execution on the Pulse Connect Secure gateway. This vulnerability has been exploited in the wild.

10.0
CVSS Critical
47.2%
EPSS p99
YES
In CISA KEV
YES
Ransomware-linked

Data as of 2 Nov 2026 · NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS

Why chaining, at machine speed

Defenders still triage vulnerabilities one CVE at a time, while increasingly automated attackers combine them at machine speed. Omenwave models the plausible pathways by which this CVE could be chained with others — surfacing them for research and awareness, with evidence for each step.

Modelled capability profile
Kill-chain stage
INITIAL_ACCESS
Requires
NONE access, NETWORK vector
Grants
PRIV access
Capabilities
authentication bypasscode executionprivilege gain
Model confidence
high · CVSS 3.1
Top plausible next hops
CVE-2019-11539INITIAL_ACCESS → EXECUTIONhigh plausibility · KEV

The access level the source grants already meets or exceeds the access level the destination requires — the position carries over.

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 P…

CVE-2020-8260INITIAL_ACCESS → EXECUTIONhigh plausibility · KEV

The access level the source grants already meets or exceeds the access level the destination requires — the position carries over.

A vulnerability in the Pulse Connect Secure < 9.1R9 admin web interface could allow an authenticated attacker to perform an arbitrary code execution…

CVE-2020-8243INITIAL_ACCESS → EXECUTIONhigh plausibility · KEV

The access level the source grants already meets or exceeds the access level the destination requires — the position carries over.

A vulnerability in the Pulse Connect Secure < 9.1R8.2 admin web interface could allow an authenticated attacker to upload custom template to perform…

CVE-2025-49704INITIAL_ACCESS → EXECUTIONhigh plausibility · KEV

The access level the source grants already meets or exceeds the access level the destination requires — the position carries over.

Improper control of generation of code ('code injection') in Microsoft Office SharePoint allows an authorized attacker to execute code over a network.

CVE-2022-41040INITIAL_ACCESS → EXECUTIONhigh plausibility · KEV

The access level the source grants already meets or exceeds the access level the destination requires — the position carries over.

Microsoft Exchange Server Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability

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Modelled plausible chaining potential derived from public CVE metadata (CVSS, CWE, CPE). Not a confirmed real-world exploit chain and contains no exploitation detail. For research and awareness only.

Methodology · Interactive explorer · JSON: /cve/CVE-2021-22893