PatchTheCVECVE-2020-8204: A cross site scripting (XSS) vulnerability exists in Pulse Connect Secure <9.1R5 on the PSAL Page.
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MEDIUM 6.1DOWNGRADEUPGRADEDOWNGRADE
CVE-2020-8204 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 6.1) 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.
A cross site scripting (XSS) vulnerability exists in Pulse Connect Secure <9.1R5 on the PSAL Page.
Why this priority
- No elevated risk signals yet
A fixed release or distro patch exists.
Risk facts
| CVSS score | 6.1 (Medium) |
| Attack vector | Network (remote) |
| Attack complexity | Low |
| Privileges needed | None |
| User interaction | Required |
| EPSS exploit chance | 1.8% (top 21%) |
| CISA exploited list | No |
| Weakness | CWE-79 |
| Published | 2020-07-30 |
| Last modified | 2026-06-17 |
Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score
Am I affected?
Timeline
- Published CVE record published
- Updated Record last modified
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 · 9.1 r1 · 9.1 r2 · 9.1 r3 · 9.1 r3.1 · 9.1 r4 · 9.1 r4.1 · 9.1 r4.2
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.
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-2020-8204?
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-2020-8204 being exploited?
CVE-2020-8204 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-2020-8204 affect?
CVE-2020-8204 affects connect secure, pulse connect secure, policy secure. Severity is medium (CVSS 6.1). A cross site scripting (XSS) vulnerability exists in Pulse Connect Secure <9.1R5 on the PSAL Page.
How urgent is CVE-2020-8204?
Priority 41/100. No elevated risk signals yet.
Software pages
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