CVE-2020-8256: A vulnerability in the Pulse Connect Secure < 9.1R8.2 admin web interface could allow an authenticated attacke

Q: How do I fix CVE-2020-8256?

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

Q: Is CVE-2020-8256 being exploited?

CVE-2020-8256 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-2020-8256 affect?

CVE-2020-8256 affects connect secure, pulse connect secure. Severity is medium (CVSS 4.9). A vulnerability in the Pulse Connect Secure < 9.1R8.2 admin web interface could allow an authenticated attacker to gain arbitrary file reading access through Pulse Collaboration via XML External Entity (XXE) vulnerability.

Q: How urgent is CVE-2020-8256?

Priority 44/100. Public exploit reference

This month

MEDIUM 4.9DOWNGRADEUPGRADE

CVE-2020-8256 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 4.9) affecting connect secure, pulse connect secure. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

A vulnerability in the Pulse Connect Secure < 9.1R8.2 admin web interface could allow an authenticated attacker to gain arbitrary file reading access through Pulse Collaboration via XML External Entity (XXE) vulnerability.

Why this priority

Public exploit reference

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	4.9 (Medium)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	High
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	3.4% (top 11%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-611
Published	2020-09-30
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): HackerOne · Vendor: ivanti · pulsesecure

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2020-09-30 18:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 03:26 UTCUpdated 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.

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-2020-8256?

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

Is CVE-2020-8256 being exploited?

CVE-2020-8256 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-2020-8256 affect?

CVE-2020-8256 affects connect secure, pulse connect secure. Severity is medium (CVSS 4.9). A vulnerability in the Pulse Connect Secure < 9.1R8.2 admin web interface could allow an authenticated attacker to gain arbitrary file reading access through Pulse Collaboration via XML External Entity (XXE) vulnerability.

How urgent is CVE-2020-8256?

Priority 44/100. Public exploit reference

Software pages

Ivanti vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2026-111357 HIGH 7.0 EXPLOITED UPGRADE Ivanti Connect Secure Missing Authentication for Critical Function Vulnerability
CVE-2025-55141 HIGH 8.8 UPGRADE UPGRADE Missing authorization in Ivanti Connect Secure before 22.7R2.9 or 22.8R2, Ivanti Policy Secure before 22.7R1.6
CVE-2025-55142 HIGH 8.8 UPGRADE UPGRADE Missing authorization in Ivanti Connect Secure before 22.7R2.9 or 22.8R2, Ivanti Policy Secure before 22.7R1.6
CVE-2025-55145 HIGH 8.9 UPGRADE UPGRADE Missing authorization in Ivanti Connect Secure before 22.7R2.9 or 22.8R2, Ivanti Policy Secure before 22.7R1.6
CVE-2025-55147 HIGH 8.8 UPGRADE UPGRADE CSRF in Ivanti Connect Secure before 22.7R2.9 or 22.8R2, Ivanti Policy Secure before 22.7R1.6, Ivanti ZTA Gate

References

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