CVE-2023-20178
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.
Key facts
- CVSS score
- 7.8 (v3.1)
- Severity
- HIGH
- CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H- Weakness (CWE)
- CWE-276
- EPSS score
- 5.4% (93th percentile)
- In CISA KEV
- No
- In EU EUVD
- Yes (EUVD-2023-24357)
- Published
- June 28, 2023
- NVD last modified
- October 8, 2026
- Status
- Modified
EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD)
This vulnerability is also tracked by ENISA as EUVD-2023-24357 in the EU Vulnerability Database. Last updated in EUVD on October 8, 2026.
View on the EU Vulnerability DatabaseAffected products
- cisco / anyconnect secure mobility client
- cisco / secure client
Certified products that may be affected
1 FIPS 140 or Common Criteria certified product, from automated matching by sec-certs.org.
- Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client v4.10 for Windows 10 - Cisco Systems, Inc. - Common Criteria CCEVS-VR-VID-11226-2021 - archived
References
Last updated October 10, 2026 · Source: NVD, CISA KEV, FIRST.org EPSS
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