Anyconnect fails to remember URL

[ewen-reynolds]

Just started recently.

Anyconnect is ALWAYS starting up with blank "Connect to" field.
It used to remember the URL but not any more.
I am running Linux Ubuntu 22.
AnyConnect version: 5.1.8.105

I have found the xml file at "~/.vpn/.anyconnect" which does have an entry for <DefaultHostName> which is correctly populated
<DefaultHostAddress> is empty.

[Rob Ingram]

@ewen-reynolds seems like a bug - possibly this one https://bst.cloudapps.cisco.com/bugsearch/bug/CSCwo31872 no fix yet, but there is a workaround. The reported conditions does state Windows 10/11, not Linux but as this version has only recently been released it may not have been reported to TAC. Try the workaround and see if this resolves your issue.

Symptom: When upgrade to the Cisco Secure Client (AnyConnect) version 5.1.8.105, the VPN client does not remember the last used connection address. Previously, the address was remembered, but after updating to the latest version, the address field is now empty and needs to be re-entered each time.

Conditions: Cisco Secure Client 5.1.8.105 Windows 11 or 10 No XML profile used.

Workaround: Create XML profile using ASDM with server list to push it to all users

[ewen-reynolds]

Thanks.
I'll wait patiently for the fix to roll out.

[sliggett]

I see no updates yet on new release to fix issue.

[swpackaging]

We're also waiting for a fix for this plugin in our company. Are there maybe some information when the bug will be fixed? 

[dsibur3]

Hi,

Waiting too for a fix.

[stsargen]

CSCwo31872 should be fixed in the next release posted to CCO.

[sliggett]

ETA please?

[dsibur3]

Hi,

Still waiting for new release on CCO...

Could you give us the release publication date ?

Thanks a lot

[stsargen]

The release for this should be posted in the next few days, if not today.

[stsargen]

Release has been posted.  https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/security/secure-client-5/model.html#~tab-downloads

[jpq222]

I was able to correct this by creating an .xml file and placing it on the firewall, and then activating it via CLI (see commands below). The user has to disconnect and restart the client, and the new connection then triggers the download of the preference file, which will autofill that field from then on.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<AnyConnectProfile>
 <ServerList>
   <HostEntry>
     <HostName>your.vpn.url</HostName>
   </HostEntry>
 </ServerList>
</AnyConnectProfile>
--------------------

conf t
webvpn
 anyconnect profiles <name_the_profile> disk0:/prefences.xml  
 exit

 group-policy <your_group_policy> attributes
   webvpn
  anyconnect profiles value <name_the_profile> type user
end