CVE-2020-17365: Improper directory permissions in the Hotspot Shield VPN client software for Windows 10.3.0 and earlier may al

Q: How do I fix CVE-2020-17365?

hotspot shield: upgrade to newer than 10.3.0. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2020-17365 being exploited?

CVE-2020-17365 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2020-17365 affect?

CVE-2020-17365 affects hotspot shield. Severity is high (CVSS 7.8). Improper directory permissions in the Hotspot Shield VPN client software for Windows 10.3.0 and earlier may allow an authorized user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access. The vulnerability allows a local user to co

Routine

HIGH 7.8UPGRADE

CVE-2020-17365 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.8) affecting hotspot shield. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Improper directory permissions in the Hotspot Shield VPN client software for Windows 10.3.0 and earlier may allow an authorized user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access. The vulnerability allows a local user to corrupt system files: a local user can create a specially crafted symbolic link to a critical file on the system and overwrite it with privileges of the application.

Why this priority

High severity

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.8 (High)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.4% (top 68%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-59, CWE-732
Published	2020-09-24
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: pango

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2020-09-24 23:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 02:58 UTCUpdated Record last modified

pango hotspot shield UPGRADE

Affected: <= 10.3.0

Fixed in: newer than 10.3.0

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy hotspot-shield || rpm -q hotspot-shield || hotspot-shield --version

2. UPGRADE to newer than 10.3.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade hotspot-shield

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade hotspot-shield

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-2020-17365?

hotspot shield: upgrade to newer than 10.3.0. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2020-17365 being exploited?

CVE-2020-17365 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-2020-17365 affect?

CVE-2020-17365 affects hotspot shield. Severity is high (CVSS 7.8). Improper directory permissions in the Hotspot Shield VPN client software for Windows 10.3.0 and earlier may allow an authorized user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access. The vulnerability allows a local user to co

How urgent is CVE-2020-17365?

Priority 35/100. High severity

Software pages

Windows vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2018-6460 HIGH 7.5 MITIGATE Hotspot Shield runs a webserver with a static IP address 127.0.0.1 and port 895

References

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