Ubuntu 24.04 and Cisco AnyConnect

If you're running Ubuntu 24.04 and need to connect at the BCGov's VPN, you might be having issues.

The Problem

The AnyConnect might display an error like this:

You are missing the required libraries for the authentication method you requested.

If that's your case, please keep going to find out how to solve it. If it's not, best of luck.

The solution

Instead of using Cisco AnyConnect itself directly, you can leverage Gnome Network Manager now. With latest changes you're able to use SSO, which was impossible before.

Steps:

1. Install Gnome OpenConnect package

sudo apt install network-manager-openconnect-gnome

2. Click at the top right corner, where you can see the volume icon, and click Settings
3. In the left panel, click Network, you should spot a VPN section, click the "+" sign to add a new VPN
4. Select Multi-protocol VPN client (openconnect)
5. Go to the second tab "Identity"
6. Give it a name, e.g. "BCGov VPN"
7. At the first option VPN Protocol, chose Cisco AnyConnect or OpenConnect
8. At Gateway, the second option, put vpn2.gov.bc.ca (or vpn.gov.bc.ca)
9. At the User Agent field, you need to fill a combination of the current system + current AnyConnect version

For Ubuntu 24.04 users: AnyConnect Linux_64 + version

My version is: 4.10.05095

Then I should put: AnyConnect Linux_64 4.10.05095

Here's how it looks like for me:

10. Click Apply
11. Now you can "Enable" the VPN and start the login. You should click "Connect", then "Login" to enter your bcgov email

PS: The first time it'll ask for the username and password, later should not ask anymore.

Here's how it will look like, if you succeed:

And you might see a VPN at the top right corner:

References

• Cisco Community thread: https://community.cisco.com/t5/vpn/updated-to-ubuntu-24-04-i-am-not-able-to-use-secure-vpn-anymore/td-p/5080095