How severe is CVE-2020-8261?

CVE-2020-8261 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 4.3, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is low, integrity none, and availability none.

Is CVE-2020-8261 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (80th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2020-8261?

CVE-2020-8261 primarily affects Ivanti Connect Secure. In total, 18 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2020-8261?

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

When was CVE-2020-8261 published?

CVE-2020-8261 was published on 2020-10-28 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2020-8261

CVE-2020-8261 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Ivanti Connect Secure with a CVSS 3.x base score of 4.3. 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-120.

Key facts

Severity: Medium (CVSS 3.x base score 4.3)
CVSS v2: 4.3
EPSS exploit prediction: 2% (80th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-120
Affected product: Ivanti Connect Secure
Published: 2020-10-28
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

A vulnerability in the Pulse Connect Secure / Pulse Policy Secure < 9.1R9 is vulnerable to arbitrary cookie injection.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2020-8261?: A vulnerability in the Pulse Connect Secure / Pulse Policy Secure < 9.1R9 is vulnerable to arbitrary cookie injection.
How severe is CVE-2020-8261?: CVE-2020-8261 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 4.3, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is low, integrity none, and availability none.
Is CVE-2020-8261 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (80th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2020-8261?: CVE-2020-8261 primarily affects Ivanti Connect Secure. In total, 18 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2020-8261?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
When was CVE-2020-8261 published?: CVE-2020-8261 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 (18)

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: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: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: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:pulsesecure:pulse_connect_secure:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_policy_secure:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Ivanti Connect Secure

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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…
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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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