CVE-2020-3153
CVE-2020-3153 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Cisco Anyconnect Secure Mobility Client with a CVSS 3.x base score of 6.5. It is listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, confirming it has been exploited in the wild (added 2022-10-24). The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-427.
Key facts
- Severity: Medium (CVSS 3.x base score 6.5)
- CVSS v2: 4.9
- EPSS exploit prediction: 28% (98th percentile)
- Actively exploited: Yes — listed in CISA KEV (added 2022-10-24)
- EU (EUVD) id: EUVD-2020-24424
- EU exploitation: Flagged exploited in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (since 2022-10-24)
- Weakness: CWE-427
- Affected product: Cisco Anyconnect Secure Mobility Client
- Published:
- Last modified:
Description
A vulnerability in the installer component of Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client for Windows could allow an authenticated local attacker to copy user-supplied files to system level directories with system level privileges. The vulnerability is due to the incorrect handling of directory paths. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by creating a malicious file and copying the file to a system directory. An exploit could allow the attacker to copy malicious files to arbitrary locations with system level privileges. This could include DLL pre-loading, DLL hijacking, and other related attacks. To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker needs valid credentials on the Windows system.
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2020-3153?
- A vulnerability in the installer component of Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client for Windows could allow an authenticated local attacker to copy user-supplied files to system level directories with system level privileges. The vulnerability is due to the incorrect handling of directory paths. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by creating a malicious file and copying the file to a system directory. An exploit could allow the attacker to copy malicious files to arbitrary locations with system level privileges. This could include DLL pre-loading, DLL hijacking, and other related attacks. To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker needs valid credentials on the Windows system.
- How severe is CVE-2020-3153?
- CVE-2020-3153 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 6.5, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity high, and availability none.
- Is CVE-2020-3153 being actively exploited?
- Yes. CVE-2020-3153 is on CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, added on 2022-10-24, which means active exploitation has been confirmed. It should be prioritised for remediation.
- What products are affected by CVE-2020-3153?
- CVE-2020-3153 affects Cisco Anyconnect Secure Mobility Client. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
- How do I fix CVE-2020-3153?
- Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Because this CVE is known to be actively exploited, treat remediation as urgent — CISA KEV typically sets a short remediation deadline.
- Does CVE-2020-3153 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?
- Yes. CVE-2020-3153 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2020-24424. It is also flagged as exploited in the EUVD (since 2022-10-24).
- When was CVE-2020-3153 published?
- CVE-2020-3153 was published on 2020-02-19 and last updated on 2026-06-17.
References
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/157340/Cisco-AnyConnect-Secure-Mobility-Client-4.8.01090-Privilege-Escalation.html
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/158219/Cisco-AnyConnect-Path-Traversal-Privilege-Escalation.html
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/159420/Cisco-AnyConnect-Privilege-Escalation.html
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2020/Apr/43
- https://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-ac-win-path-traverse-qO4HWBsj
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2020-3153
Affected products (1)
- cpe:2.3:a:cisco:anyconnect_secure_mobility_client:*:*:*:*:*:windows:*:*
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