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Vulnerability record · CVE-2021-1258 · published 13 January 2021

CVE-2021-1258: Cisco anyconnect secure mobility client permissions and access controls vulnerability

Cisco · Anyconnect Secure Mobility Client

A vulnerability in the upgrade component of Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client could allow an authenticated, local attacker with low privileges to read arbitrary files on the underlying operating system (OS) of an affected device. The vulnerability is due to insufficient file permission restrictions. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted command from the local CLI to the application. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to read arbitrary files on the underlying OS of the affected device. The attacker would need to have valid user credentials to exploit this vulnerability.

5.5 CVSS 3.1 Medium EPSS 0.34% · top 75.2% CWE-264 · Permissions and access controlsCWE-269 · Improper privilege management
5.5CVSS 3.1 base score, v2 2.1
0.34%EPSS exploitation probability, 30 days
NoNot in CISA KEV
2Affected product versions listed by NVD
4References
17 Jun 2026Last modified by NVD

Description

A vulnerability in the upgrade component of Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client could allow an authenticated, local attacker with low privileges to read arbitrary files on the underlying operating system (OS) of an affected device. The vulnerability is due to insufficient file permission restrictions. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted command from the local CLI to the application. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to read arbitrary files on the underlying OS of the affected device. The attacker would need to have valid user credentials to exploit this vulnerability.

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N

Affected products

2 vulnerable configurations from NVD's CPE data, grouped by vendor and product.

References

LinkTags
https://kc.mcafee.com/corporate/index?page=content&id=SB10382 Third Party Advisory
https://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-anyconnect-fileread-PbHbgHMj Vendor Advisory
https://kc.mcafee.com/corporate/index?page=content&id=SB10382 Third Party Advisory
https://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-anyconnect-fileread-PbHbgHMj Vendor Advisory

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Related vulnerabilities

Same products first, then exploited flaws of the same weakness class.

7.8CVE-2020-3433Cisco AnyConnect Windows client DLL hijacking via IPC channelCisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client for Windows fails to properly validate resources loaded at run time, allowing a DLL hijacking attack through …KEVEPSS 10%analysed6.5CVE-2020-3153Cisco AnyConnect Windows Installer Path Handling Privilege EscalationThe Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client for Windows installer mishandles directory paths, letting an authenticated local user copy attacker-suppl…KEVEPSS 28%analysed9.3CVE-2012-3088Cisco anyconnect secure mobility client vulnerabilityCisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client 3.1.x before 3.1.00495, and 3.2.x, does not check whether an HTTP request originally contains ScanSafe header…EPSS 1.8%9.3CVE-2012-2493Cisco anyconnect secure mobility client improper input validation vulnerabilityThe VPN downloader implementation in the WebLaunch feature in Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client 2.x before 2.5 MR6 on Windows, and 2.x before 2…EPSS 3.9%9.3CVE-2011-2040Cisco anyconnect secure mobility client improper input validation vulnerabilityThe helper application in Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client (formerly AnyConnect VPN Client) before 2.5.3041, and 3.0.x before 3.0.629, on Linu…EPSS 11%7.8CVE-2023-20178Cisco anyconnect secure mobility client incorrect default permissions vulnerabilityA vulnerability in the client update process of Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client Software for Windows and Cisco Secure Client Software for Win…EPSS 5.4%7.8CVE-2021-40124Cisco anyconnect secure mobility client improper privilege management vulnerabilityA vulnerability in the Network Access Manager (NAM) module of Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client for Windows could allow an authenticated, local…EPSS 0.24%7.8CVE-2021-1429Cisco anyconnect secure mobility client uncontrolled search path element vulnerabilityMultiple vulnerabilities in the install, uninstall, and upgrade processes of Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client for Windows could allow an authe…EPSS 0.25%

Source: NIST National Vulnerability Database (record CVE-2021-1258), CISA KEV, FIRST EPSS (scores of 2026-10-02). This page is refreshed as NVD updates the record.