CVE-2020-8263

CVE-2020-8263 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Pulsesecure Pulse Secure Desktop Client with a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.4. 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 5.4)
• CVSS v2: 3.5
• EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (48th percentile)
• Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
• Weakness: CWE-79
• Affected product: Pulsesecure Pulse Secure Desktop Client
• Published: 2020-10-28
• Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

A vulnerability in the authenticated user web interface of Pulse Connect Secure < 9.1R9 could allow attackers to conduct Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) through the CGI file.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2020-8263?

A vulnerability in the authenticated user web interface of Pulse Connect Secure < 9.1R9 could allow attackers to conduct Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) through the CGI file.

How severe is CVE-2020-8263?

CVE-2020-8263 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.4, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is low, integrity low, and availability none.

Is CVE-2020-8263 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (48th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2020-8263?

CVE-2020-8263 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-2020-8263?

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

When was CVE-2020-8263 published?

CVE-2020-8263 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 (14)

• cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:*:*:*:*:*: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-79 (Cross-site Scripting (XSS)) vulnerabilities

• CVE-2025-49410 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in Imran Emu TC…
• CVE-2024-47875 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): DOMPurify is a DOM-only, super-fast, uber-tolerant XSS sanitizer for HTML, MathML and SVG. DOMpurify was vulnerable to…
• CVE-2024-6886 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation (XSS or 'Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in Gitea…
• CVE-2023-45144 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): com.xwiki.identity-oauth:identity-oauth-ui is a package to aid in building identity and service providers based on…
• CVE-2023-45138 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Change Request is an pplication allowing users to request changes on a wiki without publishing the changes directly.…
• CVE-2022-4361 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Keycloak, an open-source identity and access management solution, has a cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the…

Browse all CWE-79 (Cross-site Scripting (XSS)) vulnerabilities →