How severe is CVE-2020-8255?

CVE-2020-8255 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 4.9, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires high privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity none, and availability none.

Is CVE-2020-8255 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (81st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2020-8255?

CVE-2020-8255 primarily affects Pulsesecure Pulse Secure Desktop Client. In total, 15 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2020-8255?

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

When was CVE-2020-8255 published?

CVE-2020-8255 was published on 2020-10-28 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2020-8255

CVE-2020-8255 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Pulsesecure Pulse Secure Desktop Client with a CVSS 3.x base score of 4.9. 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-20.

Key facts

Severity: Medium (CVSS 3.x base score 4.9)
CVSS v2: 4.0
EPSS exploit prediction: 2% (81st percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-20
Affected product: Pulsesecure Pulse Secure Desktop Client
Published: 2020-10-28
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

A vulnerability in the Pulse Connect Secure < 9.1R9 admin web interface could allow an authenticated attacker to perform an arbitrary file reading vulnerability is fixed using encrypted URL blacklisting that prevents these messages.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2020-8255?: A vulnerability in the Pulse Connect Secure < 9.1R9 admin web interface could allow an authenticated attacker to perform an arbitrary file reading vulnerability is fixed using encrypted URL blacklisting that prevents these messages.
How severe is CVE-2020-8255?: CVE-2020-8255 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 4.9, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires high privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity none, and availability none.
Is CVE-2020-8255 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (81st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2020-8255?: CVE-2020-8255 primarily affects Pulsesecure Pulse Secure Desktop Client. In total, 15 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2020-8255?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
When was CVE-2020-8255 published?: CVE-2020-8255 was published on 2020-10-28 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://kb.pulsesecure.net/articles/Pulse_Security_Advisories/SA44601

Affected products (15)

cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:*:*:*:*:*:linux:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:9.1:-:*:*:*:linux:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:9.1:r1:*:*:*:linux:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:9.1:r2:*:*:*:linux:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:9.1:r3:*:*:*:linux:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:9.1:r3.1:*:*:*:linux:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:9.1:r4:*:*:*:linux:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:9.1:r4.1:*:*:*:linux:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:9.1:r4.2:*:*:*:linux:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:9.1:r5:*:*:*:linux:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:9.1:r6:*:*:*:linux:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:9.1:r7:*:*:*:linux:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:9.1:r7.1:*:*:*:linux:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:9.1:r8:*:*:*:linux:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:9.1:r8.2:*:*:*:linux:*:*

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-2020-8254 — High (CVSS 8.8): A vulnerability in the Pulse Secure Desktop Client < 9.1R9 has Remote Code Execution (RCE) if users can be convinced to…
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.

All CVEs affecting Pulsesecure Pulse Secure Desktop Client →

Other CWE-20 (Improper Input Validation) vulnerabilities

CVE-2026-48316 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): ColdFusion versions 2025.9, 2023.20 and earlier are affected by an Improper Input Validation vulnerability that could…
CVE-2026-48281 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): ColdFusion versions 2025.9, 2023.20 and earlier are affected by an Improper Input Validation vulnerability that could…
CVE-2026-48277 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): ColdFusion versions 2025.9, 2023.20 and earlier are affected by an Improper Input Validation vulnerability that could…
CVE-2026-48055 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Streambert is a cross-platform Electron Desktop App to stream and download any video media. In versions 2.4.0 and…
CVE-2026-34910 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): A malicious actor with access to the network could exploit an Improper Input Validation vulnerability found in UniFi OS…
CVE-2026-33587 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Lack of user input sanitisation in Open Notebook v1.8.3 allows the application user to execute Python code (and…

Browse all CWE-20 (Improper Input Validation) vulnerabilities →