CVE-2020-8238

CVE-2020-8238 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Ivanti Connect Secure with a CVSS 3.x base score of 6.1. 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-79.

Key facts

• Severity: Medium (CVSS 3.x base score 6.1)
• CVSS v2: 4.3
• EPSS exploit prediction: 2% (75th percentile)
• Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
• Weakness: CWE-79
• Affected product: Ivanti Connect Secure
• Published: 2020-09-30
• Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

A vulnerability in the authenticated user web interface of Pulse Connect Secure and Pulse Policy Secure < 9.1R8.2 could allow attackers to conduct Cross-Site Scripting (XSS).

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2020-8238?

A vulnerability in the authenticated user web interface of Pulse Connect Secure and Pulse Policy Secure < 9.1R8.2 could allow attackers to conduct Cross-Site Scripting (XSS).

How severe is CVE-2020-8238?

CVE-2020-8238 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 6.1, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is low, integrity low, and availability none.

Is CVE-2020-8238 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (75th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2020-8238?

CVE-2020-8238 primarily affects Ivanti Connect Secure. In total, 28 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2020-8238?

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

When was CVE-2020-8238 published?

CVE-2020-8238 was published on 2020-09-30 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

• https://kb.pulsesecure.net/articles/Pulse_Security_Advisories/SA44588
• https://www.gosecure.net/blog/2020/11/13/forget-your-perimeter-part-2-four-vulnerabilities-in-pulse-connect-secure/

Affected products (28)

• cpe:2.3:a:ivanti:connect_secure:9.1:-:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ivanti:connect_secure:9.1:r1:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ivanti:connect_secure:9.1:r2:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ivanti:connect_secure:9.1:r3:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ivanti:connect_secure:9.1:r4:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ivanti:connect_secure:9.1:r4.1:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ivanti:connect_secure:9.1:r4.2:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ivanti:connect_secure:9.1:r4.3:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ivanti:connect_secure:9.1:r5:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ivanti:connect_secure:9.1:r6:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ivanti:connect_secure:9.1:r7:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ivanti:connect_secure:9.1:r8:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ivanti:connect_secure:9.1:r8.1:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ivanti:policy_secure:9.1:-:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ivanti:policy_secure:9.1:r1:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ivanti:policy_secure:9.1:r2:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ivanti:policy_secure:9.1:r3:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ivanti:policy_secure:9.1:r4:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ivanti:policy_secure:9.1:r4.1:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ivanti:policy_secure:9.1:r4.2:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ivanti:policy_secure:9.1:r4.3:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ivanti:policy_secure:9.1:r5:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ivanti:policy_secure:9.1:r6:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ivanti:policy_secure:9.1:r7:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ivanti:policy_secure:9.1:r8:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ivanti:policy_secure:9.1:r8.1:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_connect_secure:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_policy_secure:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Ivanti Connect Secure

• CVE-2021-22893 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Pulse Connect Secure 9.0R3/9.1R1 and higher is vulnerable to an authentication bypass vulnerability exposed by the…
• CVE-2019-11510 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): In Pulse Secure Pulse Connect Secure (PCS) 8.2 before 8.2R12.1, 8.3 before 8.3R7.1, and 9.0 before 9.0R3.4, an…
• CVE-2016-4787 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Pulse Connect Secure (PCS) 8.2 before 8.2r1, 8.1 before 8.1r2, 8.0 before 8.0r10, and 7.4 before 7.4r13.4 allow remote…
• CVE-2025-22467 — Critical (CVSS 9.9): A stack-based buffer overflow in Ivanti Connect Secure before version 22.7R2.6 allows a remote authenticated attacker…
• CVE-2024-21894 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): A heap overflow vulnerability in IPSec component of Ivanti Connect Secure (9.x, 22.x) and Ivanti Policy Secure allows…
• CVE-2018-20813 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): An input validation issue has been found with login_meeting.cgi in Pulse Secure Pulse Connect Secure 8.3RX before 8.3R2.

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