How severe is CVE-2020-8953?

CVE-2020-8953 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2020-8953 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (69th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2020-8953?

CVE-2020-8953 affects Openvpn Openvpn Access Server. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2020-8953?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2020-8953 published?

CVE-2020-8953 was published on 2020-02-13 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2020-8953

CVE-2020-8953 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Openvpn Openvpn Access Server with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8. 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-287.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.8)
CVSS v2: 7.5
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (69th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-287
Affected product: Openvpn Openvpn Access Server
Published: 2020-02-13
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

OpenVPN Access Server 2.8.x before 2.8.1 allows LDAP authentication bypass (except when a user is enrolled in two-factor authentication).

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2020-8953?: OpenVPN Access Server 2.8.x before 2.8.1 allows LDAP authentication bypass (except when a user is enrolled in two-factor authentication).
How severe is CVE-2020-8953?: CVE-2020-8953 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2020-8953 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (69th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2020-8953?: CVE-2020-8953 affects Openvpn Openvpn Access Server. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2020-8953?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2020-8953 published?: CVE-2020-8953 was published on 2020-02-13 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://openvpn.net/security-advisories/

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:openvpn:openvpn_access_server:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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