How severe is CVE-2020-13162?

CVE-2020-13162 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.0, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with high attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2020-13162 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (52nd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2020-13162?

CVE-2020-13162 primarily affects Pulsesecure Pulse Secure Desktop Client. In total, 32 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2020-13162?

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-2020-13162 published?

CVE-2020-13162 was published on 2020-06-16 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2020-13162

CVE-2020-13162 is a high-severity vulnerability in Pulsesecure Pulse Secure Desktop Client with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.0. 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-367.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.0)
CVSS v2: 6.9
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (52nd percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-367
Affected product: Pulsesecure Pulse Secure Desktop Client
Published: 2020-06-16
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

A time-of-check time-of-use vulnerability in PulseSecureService.exe in Pulse Secure Client versions prior to 9.1.6 down to 5.3 R70 for Windows (which runs as NT AUTHORITY/SYSTEM) allows unprivileged users to run a Microsoft Installer executable with elevated privileges.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2020-13162?: A time-of-check time-of-use vulnerability in PulseSecureService.exe in Pulse Secure Client versions prior to 9.1.6 down to 5.3 R70 for Windows (which runs as NT AUTHORITY/SYSTEM) allows unprivileged users to run a Microsoft Installer executable with elevated privileges.
How severe is CVE-2020-13162?: CVE-2020-13162 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.0, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with high attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2020-13162 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (52nd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2020-13162?: CVE-2020-13162 primarily affects Pulsesecure Pulse Secure Desktop Client. In total, 32 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2020-13162?: 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-2020-13162 published?: CVE-2020-13162 was published on 2020-06-16 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (32)

cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:5.3:r1.0:*:*:*:windows:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:5.3:r1.1:*:*:*:windows:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:5.3:r2.0:*:*:*:windows:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:5.3:r3.0:*:*:*:windows:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:5.3:r4.1:*:*:*:windows:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:5.3:r4.2:*:*:*:windows:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:5.3:r5.0:*:*:*:windows:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:5.3:r5.2:*:*:*:windows:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:5.3:r6.0:*:*:*:windows:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:5.3:r7.0:*:*:*:windows:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:9.0:r1.0:*:*:*:windows:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:9.0:r2:*:*:*:windows:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:9.0:r2.1:*:*:*:windows:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:9.0:r3:*:*:*:windows:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:9.0:r3.2:*:*:*:windows:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:9.0:r4:*:*:*:windows:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:9.0:r4.0:*:*:*:windows:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:9.0:r5.0:*:*:*:windows:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:9.0:r6.0:*:*:*:windows:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:9.1:r1.0:*:*:*:windows:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:9.1:r2.0:*:*:*:windows:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:9.1:r3.0:*:*:*:windows:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:9.1:r3.1:*:*:*:windows:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:9.1:r4.0:*:*:*:windows:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:9.1:r4.1:*:*:*:windows:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:9.1:r4.2:*:*:*:windows:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:9.1:r5.0:*:*:*:windows:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:9.1:r6.0:*:*:*:windows:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:9.1:r7.0:*:*:*:windows:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_installer_service:8.3:*:*:*:*:windows:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_installer_service:9.1:*:*:*:*:windows:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_installer_service:9.1:r5.0:*:*:*:windows:*:*

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CVE-2019-11213 — High (CVSS 8.1): In Pulse Secure Pulse Desktop Client and Network Connect, an attacker could access session tokens to replay and spoof…
CVE-2020-8250 — High (CVSS 7.8): A vulnerability in the Pulse Secure Desktop Client (Linux) < 9.1R9 could allow local attackers to escalate privilege.
CVE-2020-8249 — High (CVSS 7.8): A vulnerability in the Pulse Secure Desktop Client (Linux) < 9.1R9 could allow local attackers to perform buffer…
CVE-2020-8248 — High (CVSS 7.8): A vulnerability in the Pulse Secure Desktop Client (Linux) < 9.1R9 could allow local attackers to escalate privilege.

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