CVE-2020-36154: The Application Wrapper in Pearson VUE VTS Installer 2.3.1911 has Full Control permissions for Everyone in the

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HIGH 7.8DOWNGRADE

CVE-2020-36154 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.8) affecting vue testing system. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The Application Wrapper in Pearson VUE VTS Installer 2.3.1911 has Full Control permissions for Everyone in the "%SYSTEMDRIVE%\Pearson VUE" directory, which allows local users to obtain administrative privileges via a Trojan horse application.

Why this priority

High severity
Public exploit reference

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

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 61%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-732
Published	2021-01-04
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: pearson

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2021-01-04 17:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 03:14 UTCUpdated Record last modified

pearson vue testing system DOWNGRADE

Affected: 2.3.1911

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.3.1911

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy vue-testing-system || rpm -q vue-testing-system || vue-testing-system --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.3.1911 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison vue-testing-system sudo apt install vue-testing-system=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.3.1911> sudo apt-mark hold vue-testing-system

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list vue-testing-system sudo dnf downgrade vue-testing-system-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.3.1911> sudo dnf versionlock add vue-testing-system

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.

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-2020-36154?

vue testing system: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2020-36154 being exploited?

CVE-2020-36154 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-2020-36154 affect?

CVE-2020-36154 affects vue testing system. Severity is high (CVSS 7.8). The Application Wrapper in Pearson VUE VTS Installer 2.3.1911 has Full Control permissions for Everyone in the "%SYSTEMDRIVE%\Pearson VUE" directory, which allows local users to obtain administrative privileges via a Trojan horse applicatio

How urgent is CVE-2020-36154?

Priority 42/100. High severity; Public exploit reference

References

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