[TriLUG] Issue with Cisco AnyConnect and WebKit

[Jack Hill via TriLUG]

On Tue, 7 Dec 2021, Brian McCullough via TriLUG wrote:

>
> Folks,
>
> Once again, I come to "the Oracle" for help and guidance.
>
> Since last May, I have been using Cisco's AnyConnect VPN client to
> connect with a client's machines, successfully.
>
> However, they recently changed their endpoint and asked me to change how
> I connect.
>
> Since then, nothing.
>
> More specifically, the new endpoint presents a "Sign In" page, which
> causes AnyConnect to call WebKit to present to me.
>
> The page displays, I enter my ID and Password, click "Sign In" ( or
> Enter ), and WebKit crashes.  ( As far as I can see from logs, it
> segfaults. )
>
> I am running Ubuntu 18.04.6 LTS which is as up-to-date as APT offers me.
>
> My client has asked Cisco for help ( because I am strange, running Linux
> ), and they first asked me to run some GTK+ version-checking commands,
> and now that they all work correctly, asked me to make sure that my
> machine is up-to-date.
>
> I can still use the old endpoint, but the client ( people ) tell me that
> that will be going away shortly, and that I must use the new one.
>
>
> OK, after all of that, can anybody offer any suggestions?   Would a
> dist-upgrade to 20.04 LTS have any effect on this type of issue?
>
>
> Help?
>
> Brian

Brian,

No great ideas from me, unfortunately. My experiences with and up-to-date 
WebKitGTK for general browsing have been a bit hit or miss. I'd say more, 
but I'm still tying to understand the issues.

That said, I'm curious to hear a bit more about how you're connecting the 
vpn. Are you using the NetworkManager OpenConnect VPN plugin via 
nm-applet?

I'm fortunate enough to not need an interactive browser when connecting to 
AnyConnect vpns, so I've been able to get by running `openconnect` on the 
command line.

Best,
Jack