How severe is CVE-2018-15865?

CVE-2018-15865 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2018-15865 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (24th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2018-15865?

CVE-2018-15865 primarily affects Pulsesecure Pulse Secure Desktop Client. In total, 25 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2018-15865?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2018-15865 published?

CVE-2018-15865 was published on 2018-09-06 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2018-15865

CVE-2018-15865 is a high-severity vulnerability in Pulsesecure Pulse Secure Desktop Client with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.8)
CVSS v2: 4.6
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (24th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Affected product: Pulsesecure Pulse Secure Desktop Client
Published: 2018-09-06
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

The Pulse Secure Desktop (macOS) has a Privilege Escalation Vulnerability.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2018-15865?: The Pulse Secure Desktop (macOS) has a Privilege Escalation Vulnerability.
How severe is CVE-2018-15865?: CVE-2018-15865 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2018-15865 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (24th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2018-15865?: CVE-2018-15865 primarily affects Pulsesecure Pulse Secure Desktop Client. In total, 25 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2018-15865?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2018-15865 published?: CVE-2018-15865 was published on 2018-09-06 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://kb.pulsesecure.net/articles/Pulse_Security_Advisories/SA43877

Affected products (25)

cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:5.1r1.0:*:*:*:*:macos:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:5.1r1.1:*:*:*:*:macos:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:5.1r2.0:*:*:*:*:macos:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:5.1r3.0:*:*:*:*:macos:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:5.1r3.1:*:*:*:*:macos:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:5.1r3.2:*:*:*:*:macos:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:5.1r4.0:*:*:*:*:macos:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:5.1r5.0:*:*:*:*:macos:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:5.1r5.1:*:*:*:*:macos:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:5.1r6.0:*:*:*:*:macos:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:5.1r7.0:*:*:*:*:macos:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:5.1r8.0:*:*:*:*:macos:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:5.1r9.0:*:*:*:*:macos:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:5.1r9.1:*:*:*:*:macos:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:5.1r10.0:*:*:*:*:macos:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:5.1rx:*:*:*:*:mac_os_x:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:5.3r1:*:*:*:*:macos:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:5.3r1.1:*:*:*:*:macos:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:5.3r2:*:*:*:*:macos:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:5.3r3:*:*:*:*:macos:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:5.3r4:*:*:*:*:macos:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:5.3r4.1:*:*:*:*:macos:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:5.3r4.2:*:*:*:*:macos:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:5.3r5:*:*:*:*:macos:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:5.3r5.2:*:*:*:*:macos:*:*

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