CVE intelligence and bounded remediation

CVE-2018-7572 — Pulsesecure Pulse Secure Desktop security vulnerability

High CVSS 7.2

Pulse Secure Client 9.0R1 and 5.3RX before 5.3R5, when configured to authenticate VPN users during Windows Logon, can allow attackers to bypass Windows authentication and execute commands on the system with the privileges of Pulse Secure Client. The attacker must interrupt the client's network connectivity, and trigger a connection to a crafted proxy server with an invalid SSL certificate that allows certification-manager access, leading to the ability to browse local files and execute local programs.

Severity
High
CVSS
7.2 (2.0)
Published
2018-09-12
CISA KEV
Not currently listed
Ecosystem
windows/system
Weaknesses
CWE-287

Affected products

  • pulsesecure / pulse_secure_desktop / 5.3r1.0
  • pulsesecure / pulse_secure_desktop / 5.3r1.1
  • pulsesecure / pulse_secure_desktop / 5.3r2.0
  • pulsesecure / pulse_secure_desktop / 5.3r3.0
  • pulsesecure / pulse_secure_desktop / 5.3r4.0
  • pulsesecure / pulse_secure_desktop / 5.3r4.1

Showing 6 representative product identities from 9 source matches. Confirm exact affected versions with the linked vendor and NVD evidence.

Matched remediation archetype

Authentication bypass and missing authentication

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Check exposure

  • Map every affected endpoint and protocol path, including alternate ports, legacy routes, recovery flows, service accounts, and machine-to-machine access.
  • Confirm which deployments enable the affected authentication mode and whether the interface is reachable from untrusted networks.
  • Review session, token, credential, and proxy trust configuration without attempting account takeover.

Remediate safely

  • Apply the supported fix and centralize fail-closed authentication before protected request handling.
  • Remove default or embedded credentials, rotate affected secrets and sessions, and bind authentication decisions to the intended audience and channel.
  • Add negative tests for alternate routes, malformed or absent credentials, recovery flows, and proxy-derived identity.

Authoritative sources

Complete CVE record and remediation plan

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