CVE-2020-8254
CVE-2020-8254 is a high-severity vulnerability in Pulsesecure Pulse Secure Desktop Client with a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8. 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-22.
Key facts
- Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 8.8)
- CVSS v2: 6.8
- EPSS exploit prediction: 2% (79th percentile)
- Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
- Weakness: CWE-22
- Affected product: Pulsesecure Pulse Secure Desktop Client
- Published:
- Last modified:
Description
A vulnerability in the Pulse Secure Desktop Client < 9.1R9 has Remote Code Execution (RCE) if users can be convinced to connect to a malicious server. This vulnerability only affects Windows PDC.To improve the security of connections between Pulse clients and Pulse Connect Secure, see below recommendation(s):Disable Dynamic certificate trust for PDC.
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2020-8254?
- A vulnerability in the Pulse Secure Desktop Client < 9.1R9 has Remote Code Execution (RCE) if users can be convinced to connect to a malicious server. This vulnerability only affects Windows PDC.To improve the security of connections between Pulse clients and Pulse Connect Secure, see below recommendation(s):Disable Dynamic certificate trust for PDC.
- How severe is CVE-2020-8254?
- CVE-2020-8254 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
- Is CVE-2020-8254 being actively exploited?
- It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (79th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- What products are affected by CVE-2020-8254?
- CVE-2020-8254 primarily affects Pulsesecure Pulse Secure Desktop Client. In total, 14 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
- How do I fix CVE-2020-8254?
- 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-2020-8254 published?
- CVE-2020-8254 was published on 2020-10-28 and last updated on 2026-06-17.
References
Affected products (14)
- cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:*:*:*:*:*:windows:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:9.1:r1:*:*:*:windows:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:9.1:r2:*:*:*:windows:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:9.1:r3:*:*:*: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:*:*:*: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:*:*:*:windows:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:9.1:r6:*:*:*:windows:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:9.1:r7:*:*:*:windows:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:9.1:r7.1:*:*:*:windows:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:9.1:r8:*:*:*:windows:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:9.1:r8.2:*:*:*:windows:*:*
More vulnerabilities in Pulsesecure Pulse Secure Desktop Client
- CVE-2020-8239 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): A vulnerability in the Pulse Secure Desktop Client < 9.1R9 is vulnerable to the client registry privilege escalation…
- 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.
- CVE-2020-8240 — High (CVSS 7.8): A vulnerability in the Pulse Secure Desktop Client < 9.1R9 allows a restricted user on an endpoint machine can use…
All CVEs affecting Pulsesecure Pulse Secure Desktop Client →
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