CVE-2020-3153
A vulnerability in the installer component of Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client for Windows could allow an authenticated local attacker to…
Browse: All 2020 CVEs · All vendors
- CVSS score
- 6.5 Medium
- CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:N/I:H/A:N- CISA KEV
- Yes — actively exploited (added 2022-10-24, remediation due 2022-11-14)
- Ransomware
- Known ransomware campaign use
- Weakness (CWE)
- CWE-427
- Published
- 2020-02-19
- Last modified
- 2026-08-12
- NVD status
- Analyzed
Description
A vulnerability in the installer component of Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client for Windows could allow an authenticated local attacker to copy user-supplied files to system level directories with system level privileges. The vulnerability is due to the incorrect handling of directory paths. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by creating a malicious file and copying the file to a system directory. An exploit could allow the attacker to copy malicious files to arbitrary locations with system level privileges. This could include DLL pre-loading, DLL hijacking, and other related attacks. To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker needs valid credentials on the Windows system.
Affected products
- cisco anyconnect secure mobility client
Affected ranges per NVD CPE data; confirm exact versions in the vendor advisory.
Required action (CISA)
Apply updates per vendor instructions. Federal remediation deadline: 2022-11-14.
How to prioritize this
This vulnerability is on the CISA KEV list, meaning it is being actively exploited — treat it as urgent regardless of the raw CVSS number. Use the live CVE lookup for the latest NVD data, and the CVSS 3.1 calculator to model your own environmental score. For the actively exploited vulnerabilities that matter this week, read The Exploit HQ daily security brief.
References
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/157340/Cisco-AnyConnect-Secure-Mobility-Client-4.8.01090-Privilege-Escalation.html
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/158219/Cisco-AnyConnect-Path-Traversal-Privilege-Escalation.html
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/159420/Cisco-AnyConnect-Privilege-Escalation.html
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2020/Apr/43
- https://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-ac-win-path-traverse-qO4HWBsj
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2020-3153
FAQ
Is CVE-2020-3153 actively exploited?
Yes. CISA added CVE-2020-3153 to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog on 2022-10-24, with a federal remediation deadline of 2022-11-14. A KEV listing means real-world exploitation is confirmed, so patching this should be prioritized above many higher-CVSS bugs that aren't being exploited.
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2020-3153?
CVE-2020-3153 has a CVSS base score of 6.5 (Medium). Its vector string is CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:N/I:H/A:N.
Related vulnerabilities
- CVE-2020-3433 — Cisco AnyConnect Secure
- CVE-2026-76519 — Cisco Secure Email Gateway
- CVE-2026-76504 — Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Manager
- CVE-2026-76460 — Cisco Identity Services Engine
- CVE-2026-76461 — Cisco Secure Email Gateway
- CVE-2026-20079 — Cisco Secure Firewall Management Center (F
Data source: NVD & CISA KEV. Shown as-is; nothing added. Last generated from NVD data — re-check the live tool for updates.
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