7.8

CVE-2023-20178: cisco anyconnect_secure_mobility_client Incorrect Default Permissions

CVSS: 7.8v3.1HighModified
Published 28-06-2023Last modified 08-10-2026
Open JSON

Vulnerability summary

CVE-2023-20178 is a high (CVSS 7.8) Incorrect Default Permissions vulnerability in cisco anyconnect_secure_mobility_client. EPSS estimates a 5.37% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 92.5% of scored vulnerabilities.

Overall risk
32/100
0100
Medium · default modelHow is this calculated?
CVSS score
7.8/10
010
High · v3.1 (CVE.org)
EPSS score
5.37%
0%100%
Low · 0.00 pp in 30 days
KEVNot listedIn no KEV catalog
RansomwareNone recordedNo known use recorded
Public exploits0No public exploits recorded

Timeline

  1. 28-06-2023
    PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
  2. 08-10-2026
    Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.

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 metrics

2 scores · 2 sources · 1 version

EPSS trend

Probability

5.37%

Chance of exploitation in the next 30 days

Percentile

93%

Versus all other CVEs

30-day change

0.00 pp

From 5.37% on 19-09-2026

19-09-202619-10-2026
EPSS score
5.37%

Known exploited

Compare KEV catalogs

Not in any of the 3 tracked catalogs.

Public exploits

0 found

No public exploits indexed.

Weaknesses

CWE · root cause

Affected systems

Cisco3 products
  • anyconnect_secure_mobility_client< 4.10.07061
  • cisco secure client4.9.00086 | 4.9.01095 | 4.9.02028 | 4.9.03047 | 4.9.03049 | 4.9.04043 | 4.9.04053 | 4.9.05042 | 4.9.06037 | 4.10.00093 | 4.10.01075 | 4.10.02086 | 4.10.03104 | 4.10.04065 | 4.10.04071 | 4.10.05085 | 4.10.05095 | 4.10.05111 | 4.10.06079 | 4.10.06090 | 5.0.00238 | 5.0.00529 | 5.0.00556 | 5.0.01242
  • secure_client< 5.0.02075

1 vendor · 3 products

References

1 links