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Vulnerability record · CVE-2023-20178 · published 28 June 2023

CVE-2023-20178: Cisco anyconnect secure mobility client incorrect default permissions vulnerability

Cisco · Anyconnect Secure Mobility Client

A vulnerability in the client update process of Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client Software for Windows and Cisco Secure Client Software for Windows could allow a low-privileged, authenticated, local attacker to elevate privileges to those of SYSTEM. The client update process is executed after a successful VPN connection is established. This vulnerability exists because improper permissions are assigned to a temporary directory that is created during the update process. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by abusing a specific function of the Windows installer process. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute code with SYSTEM privileges.

7.8 CVSS 3.1 High EPSS 5.4% · top 7.6% CWE-276 · Incorrect default permissions
7.8CVSS 3.1 base score
5.4%EPSS exploitation probability, 30 days
NoNot in CISA KEV
2Affected product versions listed by NVD
2References
17 Jun 2026Last modified by NVD

Description

A vulnerability in the client update process of Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client Software for Windows and Cisco Secure Client Software for Windows could allow a low-privileged, authenticated, local attacker to elevate privileges to those of SYSTEM. The client update process is executed after a successful VPN connection is established. This vulnerability exists because improper permissions are assigned to a temporary directory that is created during the update process. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by abusing a specific function of the Windows installer process. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute code with SYSTEM privileges.

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

Affected products

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

References

LinkTags
https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-ac-csc-privesc-wx4U4Kw Vendor Advisory
https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-ac-csc-privesc-wx4U4Kw 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%8.2CVE-2024-20337Cisco secure client vulnerabilityA vulnerability in the SAML authentication process of Cisco Secure Client could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to conduct a carriage retur…EPSS 30%7.8CVE-2025-20206Cisco secure client improper verification of cryptographic signature vulnerabilityA vulnerability in the interprocess communication (IPC) channel of Cisco Secure Client for Windows could allow an authenticated, local attacker to pe…EPSS 0.18%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%

Source: NIST National Vulnerability Database (record CVE-2023-20178), CISA KEV, FIRST EPSS (scores of 2026-09-26). This page is refreshed as NVD updates the record.