CVE WatchAug 12, 2026

CVE-2020-3153

Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client for Windows Uncontrolled Search Path Vulnerability

CVSS

6.5

Medium

EPSS

28.3%

p98

KEV

YES

Oct 24, 2022

Exploit Today

0-100

Published: Feb 19, 2020 · Last modified: Aug 12, 2026 · CWE-427

EPSS · 30d

27.5%EPSS · 30 days28.3%

2026-08-022026-08-31

KEV catalog record

Product

Cisco / AnyConnect Secure

Vulnerability

Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client for Windows Uncontrolled Search Path Vulnerability

Added to KEV

Oct 24, 2022

Remediate by

Nov 14, 2022

Known ransomware use

Yes

Summary description

Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client for Windows allows for incorrect handling of directory paths. An attacker with valid credentials on Windows would be able to copy malicious files to arbitrary locations with system level privileges. This could include DLL pre-loading, DLL hijacking, and other related attacks.

Required action

Apply updates per vendor instructions.

Notes

https://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-ac-win-path-traverse-qO4HWBsj; https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-3153

Technical 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.

Official references

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