How severe is CVE-2020-1988?

CVE-2020-1988 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 4.2, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires high privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is low, integrity low, and availability low.

Is CVE-2020-1988 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (29th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2020-1988?

CVE-2020-1988 affects Paloaltonetworks Globalprotect. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2020-1988?

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

When was CVE-2020-1988 published?

CVE-2020-1988 was published on 2020-04-08 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2020-1988

CVE-2020-1988 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Paloaltonetworks Globalprotect with a CVSS 3.x base score of 4.2. 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-428.

Key facts

Severity: Medium (CVSS 3.x base score 4.2)
CVSS v2: 7.2
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (29th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-428
Affected product: Paloaltonetworks Globalprotect
Published: 2020-04-08
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

An unquoted search path vulnerability in the Windows release of Global Protect Agent allows an authenticated local user with file creation privileges on the root of the OS disk (C:\) or to Program Files directory to gain system privileges. This issue affects Palo Alto Networks GlobalProtect Agent 5.0 versions before 5.0.5; 4.1 versions before 4.1.13 on Windows;

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2020-1988?: An unquoted search path vulnerability in the Windows release of Global Protect Agent allows an authenticated local user with file creation privileges on the root of the OS disk (C:\) or to Program Files directory to gain system privileges. This issue affects Palo Alto Networks GlobalProtect Agent 5.0 versions before 5.0.5; 4.1 versions before 4.1.13 on Windows;
How severe is CVE-2020-1988?: CVE-2020-1988 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 4.2, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires high privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is low, integrity low, and availability low.
Is CVE-2020-1988 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (29th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2020-1988?: CVE-2020-1988 affects Paloaltonetworks Globalprotect. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2020-1988?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
When was CVE-2020-1988 published?: CVE-2020-1988 was published on 2020-04-08 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://security.paloaltonetworks.com/CVE-2020-1988

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:paloaltonetworks:globalprotect:*:*:*:*:*:windows:*:*

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