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CVE-2020-15352: An XML external entity (XXE) vulnerability in Pulse Connect Secure (PCS) before 9.1R9 and Pulse Policy Secure

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This month
HIGH 7.2DOWNGRADEUPGRADEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2020-15352 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.2) affecting connect secure, pulse connect secure, policy secure. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

An XML external entity (XXE) vulnerability in Pulse Connect Secure (PCS) before 9.1R9 and Pulse Policy Secure (PPS) before 9.1R9 allows remote authenticated admins to conduct server-side request forgery (SSRF) attacks via a crafted DTD in an XML request.

Why this priority

  • High severity

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score7.2 (High)
Attack vectorNetwork (remote)
Attack complexityLow
Privileges neededHigh
User interactionNone
EPSS exploit chance3.2% (top 12%)
CISA exploited listNo
WeaknessCWE-611
Published2020-10-27
Last modified2026-06-17
Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: ivanti · pulsesecure

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Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

ivanti connect secure DOWNGRADE
Affected: 9.1 · 9.1 r1 · 9.1 r2 · 9.1 r3 · 9.1 r4 · 9.1 r4.1 · 9.1 r4.2 · 9.1 r4.3
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 9.1
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy connect-secure || rpm -q connect-secure || connect-secure --version
2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 9.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)
apt-cache madison connect-secure sudo apt install connect-secure=<VERSION_BEFORE_9.1> sudo apt-mark hold connect-secure
2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
dnf --showduplicates list connect-secure sudo dnf downgrade connect-secure-<VERSION_BEFORE_9.1> sudo dnf versionlock add connect-secure
Downgrade risk
Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.
After downgrade
Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.
pulsesecure pulse connect secure UPGRADE
Affected: <= 9.0
Fixed in: newer than 9.0
Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy pulse-connect-secure || rpm -q pulse-connect-secure || pulse-connect-secure --version
2. UPGRADE to newer than 9.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)
sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade pulse-connect-secure
2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
sudo dnf upgrade pulse-connect-secure
Note
Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.
ivanti policy secure DOWNGRADE
Affected: 9.1 r1 · 9.1 r2 · 9.1 r3 · 9.1 r3.1 · 9.1 r4 · 9.1 r4.1 · 9.1 r4.2 · 9.1 r5
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 9.1
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy policy-secure || rpm -q policy-secure || policy-secure --version
2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 9.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)
apt-cache madison policy-secure sudo apt install policy-secure=<VERSION_BEFORE_9.1> sudo apt-mark hold policy-secure
2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
dnf --showduplicates list policy-secure sudo dnf downgrade policy-secure-<VERSION_BEFORE_9.1> sudo dnf versionlock add policy-secure
Downgrade risk
Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.
After downgrade
Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.
pulsesecure pulse policy secure UPGRADE
Affected: <= 9.0
Fixed in: newer than 9.0
Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy pulse-policy-secure || rpm -q pulse-policy-secure || pulse-policy-secure --version
2. UPGRADE to newer than 9.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)
sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade pulse-policy-secure
2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
sudo dnf upgrade pulse-policy-secure
Note
Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.
Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2020-15352?

connect secure: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; pulse connect secure: upgrade to newer than 9.0; policy secure: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2020-15352 being exploited?

CVE-2020-15352 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2020-15352 affect?

CVE-2020-15352 affects connect secure, pulse connect secure, policy secure. Severity is high (CVSS 7.2). An XML external entity (XXE) vulnerability in Pulse Connect Secure (PCS) before 9.1R9 and Pulse Policy Secure (PPS) before 9.1R9 allows remote authenticated admins to conduct server-side request forgery (SSRF) attacks via a crafted DTD in a

How urgent is CVE-2020-15352?

Priority 47/100. High severity

Software pages

Ivanti vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

References

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