How severe is CVE-2018-16261?

CVE-2018-16261 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 6.8, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over physical access with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2018-16261 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (10th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2018-16261?

CVE-2018-16261 primarily affects Pulsesecure Pulse Secure Desktop Client. In total, 9 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2018-16261?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.

When was CVE-2018-16261 published?

CVE-2018-16261 was published on 2018-09-06 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2018-16261

CVE-2018-16261 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Pulsesecure Pulse Secure Desktop Client with a CVSS 3.x base score of 6.8. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-295.

Key facts

Severity: Medium (CVSS 3.x base score 6.8)
CVSS v2: 4.6
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (10th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-295
Affected product: Pulsesecure Pulse Secure Desktop Client
Published: 2018-09-06
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

In Pulse Secure Pulse Desktop Client 5.3RX before 5.3R5 and 9.0R1, there is a Privilege Escalation Vulnerability with Dynamic Certificate Trust.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2018-16261?: In Pulse Secure Pulse Desktop Client 5.3RX before 5.3R5 and 9.0R1, there is a Privilege Escalation Vulnerability with Dynamic Certificate Trust.
How severe is CVE-2018-16261?: CVE-2018-16261 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 6.8, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over physical access with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2018-16261 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (10th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2018-16261?: CVE-2018-16261 primarily affects Pulsesecure Pulse Secure Desktop Client. In total, 9 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2018-16261?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
When was CVE-2018-16261 published?: CVE-2018-16261 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 (9)

cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:5.3r1:*:*:*:*:windows:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:5.3r1.1:*:*:*:*:windows:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:5.3r2:*:*:*:*:windows:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:5.3r3:*:*:*:*:windows:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:5.3r4:*:*:*:*:windows:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:5.3r4.1:*:*:*:*:windows:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:5.3r4.2:*:*:*:*:windows:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:5.3rx:*:*:*:*:windows:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:9.0r1:*:*:*:*:windows:*:*

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