CVE-2019-11510 Ivanti Pulse Connect Secure Arbitrary File Read Vulnerability
Ivanti Pulse Connect Secure contains an arbitrary file read vulnerability that allows an unauthenticated remote attacker with network access via HTTPS to send a specially crafted URI.
From the CISA KEV catalogue version 2026.11.06, with Cybergen analysis. Updated 6 Nov 2026.
Should You Worry?
- CISA confirmed exploitation in the wild and added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue on 3 Nov 2021.
- CISA lists it as known to be used in ransomware campaigns.
- Rated Critical severity (CVSS 9.9, scored by Vendor).
- This product type is often exposed to the internet, which is where attackers scan for it first.
- Named in Cybergen threat actor reporting: APT29.
- It has been in the catalogue for 1,829 days. Systems still unpatched now have almost certainly been scanned for it.
What It Is
In Pulse Secure Pulse Connect Secure (PCS) 8.2 before 8.2R12.1, 8.3 before 8.3R7.1, and 9.0 before 9.0R3.4, an unauthenticated remote attacker can send a specially crafted URI to perform an arbitrary file reading vulnerability .
What To Do Now
- 1
Find it
Search your asset inventory and external attack surface for Ivanti Pulse Connect Secure. Include cloud images, appliances and anything a supplier runs for you.
Attack Surface Management - 2
- 3
Hunt for compromise
If an affected system was reachable before you patched, assume it may have been hit. Check logs, new accounts, web shells and outbound connections from the date of exposure.
Incident Response - 4
Prove it is fixed
Rescan or test the system after patching. Upgrades that fail silently and forgotten secondary instances are common.
Penetration Testing
The Compliance Clock
General guidance, not legal advice. Your obligations depend on your sector, scope and jurisdiction.
Not Sure If You Are Exposed?
Our attack surface and vulnerability teams can check your internet-facing estate for CVE-2019-11510 and every other exploited flaw on the list.
Sources
- CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue
- NVD: CVE-2019-11510
- CVE record: CVE-2019-11510
- FIRST EPSS
- kb.pulsesecure.net/?atype=sa
- kb.pulsesecure.net/articles/Pulse_Security_Advisories/SA44101/
- securityfocus.com/bid/108073
- psirt.global.sonicwall.com/vuln-detail/SNWLID-2019-0010
- packetstormsecurity.com/files/154176/Pulse-Secure-SSL-VPN-8.1R15.1-8.2-8.3-9.0-Arbitrary-File-Disclo
- badpackets.net/over-14500-pulse-secure-vpn-endpoints-vulnerable-to-cve-2019-11510/
- packetstormsecurity.com/files/154231/Pulse-Secure-SSL-VPN-File-Disclosure-NSE.html
- i.blackhat.com/USA-19/Wednesday/us-19-Tsai-Infiltrating-Corporate-Intranet-Like-NSA.pdf
