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Actively exploitedKnown ransomware use

CVE-2024-1709 ConnectWise ScreenConnect Authentication Bypass Vulnerability

ConnectWise ScreenConnect contains an authentication bypass vulnerability that allows an attacker with network access to the management interface to create a new, administrator-level account on affected devices.

From the CISA KEV catalogue version 2026.11.06, with Cybergen analysis. Updated 6 Nov 2026.

Our Assessment

Should You Worry?

Patch nowCybergen assessment
  • CISA confirmed exploitation in the wild and added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue on 22 Feb 2024.
  • CISA lists it as known to be used in ransomware campaigns.
  • Rated Critical severity (CVSS 10.0, 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: Medusa, Sandworm.
  • It has been in the catalogue for 988 days. Systems still unpatched now have almost certainly been scanned for it.
The Vulnerability

What It Is

ConnectWise ScreenConnect 23.9.7 and prior are affected by an Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or Channel vulnerability, which may allow an attacker direct access to confidential information or critical systems.

Affected Versions

ProductVersions
ConnectWise ScreenConnect23.9.7 and earlier

From the public CVE record, as supplied by the vendor. Always confirm against the vendor advisory.

From Watch to Action

What To Do Now

  1. 1

    Find it

    Search your asset inventory and external attack surface for ConnectWise ScreenConnect. Include cloud images, appliances and anything a supplier runs for you.

    Attack Surface Management
  2. 2

    Fix it

    Apply mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.

    Vulnerability Management
  3. 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. 4

    Prove it is fixed

    Rescan or test the system after patching. Upgrades that fail silently and forgotten secondary instances are common.

    Penetration Testing

Vendor Advisories

Regulation

The Compliance Clock

Cyber EssentialsRated critical, so if it affects devices in your Cyber Essentials scope, the update must be installed within 14 days of the vendor releasing it.NIS2If exploitation causes a significant incident, essential and important entities owe their CSIRT an early warning within 24 hours and a notification within 72 hours.DORAFinancial entities must classify ICT incidents and send an initial notification for a major incident within strict deadlines, with exploited flaws a common cause.US federal (BOD 22-01)Federal civilian agencies had until 29 Feb 2024 to remediate. A sensible benchmark for everyone else.

General guidance, not legal advice. Your obligations depend on your sector, scope and jurisdiction.

Stay Ahead

More Exploited ConnectWise Flaws

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CVE-2026-84869ConnectWise ScreenConnect Improper Privilege Management and Missing Authorization VulnerabilityAdded 11 Sep 2026CVE-2024-1708 · RansomwareConnectWise ScreenConnect Path Traversal VulnerabilityAdded 28 Apr 2026CVE-2025-3935ConnectWise ScreenConnect Improper Authentication VulnerabilityAdded 2 Jun 2025

All 4 exploited ConnectWise vulnerabilities

Not Sure If You Are Exposed?

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Evidence

Sources

  1. CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue
  2. NVD: CVE-2024-1709
  3. CVE record: CVE-2024-1709
  4. FIRST EPSS
  5. connectwise.com/company/trust/security-bulletins/connectwise-screenconnect-23.9.8
  6. huntress.com/blog/vulnerability-reproduced-immediately-patch-screenconnect-23-9-8
  7. huntress.com/blog/detection-guidance-for-connectwise-cwe-288-2
  8. bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/connectwise-urges-screenconnect-admins-to-patch-critical-rce-flaw
  9. github.com/watchtowrlabs/connectwise-screenconnect_auth-bypass-add-user-poc
  10. github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/pull/18870
  11. horizon3.ai/attack-research/red-team/connectwise-screenconnect-auth-bypass-deep-dive/
  12. techcrunch.com/2024/02/21/researchers-warn-high-risk-connectwise-flaw-under-attack-is-embarrassingly